Disclosure by academics and cooperation from universities are paramount in maintaining a balance between open academic exchange and national security priorities, United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in a Jan. 20 interview with The Crimson.
Lelling â who serves as U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts â has prosecuted several academics for failing to disclose their research ties to Chinese institutions and the Chinese government. Notably, Charles M. Lieber, the former Harvard Chemistry department chair, was arrested last January on charges of lying to federal authorities about his involvement in a Chinese talent recruitment program. He is being prosecuted by Lellingâs office.