Hua Jun Zhao, an associate/assistant researcher at Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) accused of stealing a cancer drug and related research data, has been indicted on two new co unts by the federal grand jury for attempting to delete information from the college's computers and lying to a federal agent.
Initially, Zhao was accused of economic espionage and charged with stealing three vials of a patented possible cancer fighting compound worth about $8,000 and additional research data relating to the compound to benefit Zhejiang University, a university in China. Investigators also found his ticket for China, April 2.
Zhao, a 42-year-old researcher at the MCW, accessed the college's server and deleted folders and files relating to the research for the cancer compound, known as C-25, on the evening of Feb.27, the day he was suspended by MCW.
He assisted Dr. Marshall Anderson, the primary researcher, who patented the compound, C-25, that was allegedly stolen by Zhao.
The compound helps drugs in destroying cancer cells, while not harming healthy cells.
When Anderson reported about the missing/stolen three bottles of the cancer research compound, Jessica Luedke, Public Safety Manager, approached FBI Milwaukee and filed the complaint on Feb. 27.
The complaint said that Anderson had left three bottles of C-25 on his desk and was engaged in other activities. Later, when he returned to his desk, he noticed the three bottles were missing.
After the authorities scanned the surveillance cameras, Zhao was found to be the only person entering and exiting Anderson's office, Feb. 22, 2013, the day the bottles went missing.
During investigation, Zhao denied that he attempted to access the college's servers to delete files related to the stolen compound. However, authorities allege that Zhao did try to access the servers on Feb. 27.
Meanwhile, the college was able to recover the deleted information, including the original raw data used in the research.
If convicted of this felony, Zhao faces maximum 15-years in prison; 10 years for trying to destroy a protected computer and up to 5 years for making false statements to the FBI, and $500,000 in fine.
