Chenguang Gong Economic Espionage (2023)

Chenguang Gong transferred more than 3,600 files from a Malibu defense firm (*HRL Laboratories) on infrared sensor technology, specifically mechanical assemblies used to house and cryogenically cool IR sensors for use in space-based missile warning and tracking, space-based surveillance, and airborne infrared countermeasures systems.

From 2014 to 2022 Gong applied several times for China's Talent Program funding, including to produce high-performance high performance analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog converters to benefit China’s Military and Defense Sector. In his applications, he often noted the benefits for China's defense sector.

Gong transferred trade secrets from his work laptop to a Verbatim flash drive and two Western Digital Technologies external hard drives. He then transferred them to his laptop. The information included blueprints for high-tech missile detection systems. Gong also shared “low-light/night vision dual-use CMOS image sensor” technology used by the U.S. military in a video he sent to parties in China. Gong moved files to several hard drives which were recovered at his Thousand Oaks home after an FBI raid in May, 2023.

On February 28, 2023, Gong requested requested a leave of absence for a medical examination for his father in China. He notified his employer that he was resigning from his position three months after being hired (April 2023). The stolen information was worth hundreds of millions of dollars and directly benefited the Chinese military.

Status - Convicted

Tradecraft

• Extensive use of open commercial emails.

• Lied to corporate investigators in interviews

• Thousand Talents Program applicant.

• Multiple trips to China. Two trips at the invitation of Talent Programs.

• Use of personal hard drives.

• Use of personal laptop.

• Used a file transfer protocol program.

• Used cover story of vacation and caring for elderly parents in China to change employment.

It is almost certain that Gong worked for HRL Laboratories based on data provided in the FBI Criminal Complaints.