Chinese engineer denied a new trial
A federal judge Monday denied a motion for a new trial by a Chinese-born engineer who claims that government misconduct led to his conviction for passing unclassified but sensitive submarine data to China.
Chi Mak was convicted last year on five counts of conspiracy to violate export-control laws, attempting to violate export-control laws, acting as an unregistered agent for China and lying to a federal agent.
U.S. District Court Judge Cormac Carney denied the motion filed by Mak, 67, who faces up to 45 years in prison when sentenced March 24. Mak complained that a key defense witness took the 5th Amendment against self-incrimination and refused to testify after prosecutors allegedly suggested he was under investigation. The man was never charged, and prosecutors denied the claim.
-- Gil Reza
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