Former Ford Engineer Charged With Industrial Espionage
By: Ainsley Brown
A 47 year old former engineer from the Ford Motor Company has been charged with stealing some of the company’s trade secrets.
The engineer, a one Xiang Dong Yu, also known as Mike Yu, was charged last week after traveling from China to the US. Mr. Yu is accused of unauthorized computer access; theft, and attempted theft of trade secrets.
But what exactly is he accused of steeling?
It is alleged that he copied thousands of electronic documents containing designs for power systems, mirrors, doors, steering wheel assembles, wipers and other vehicle components. Authorities, say that much of what Mr. Yu is accused of doing occurred in December 2006, just before he quit to take up a post with a Chinese competitor.
If found guilty Mr. Yu could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in person.
