Gao Zhan Sentenced for Selling U.S. Secrets (China)

WJLA ^

[maui_hawaii]

Alexandria, Va. (AP) - A human rights activist who had once been convicted by China of espionage was sentenced Friday in Alexandria (website - news) federal court to seven months in jail for selling sensitive computer equipment to Beijing.

Gao Zhan of McLean, a former researcher at American University, attracted international attention in 2001 when she was arrested in China and accused of spying for Taiwan. The Chinese government convicted her but released her to the United States, following diplomatic pressure.

But last fall, Gao pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally exporting computer equipment over several years to agencies associated with the Chinese military.

Sentencing guidelines typically call for a sentence of almost three years. Gao's sentence was significantly reduced because she cooperated with federal prosecutors on national security matters. The cooperation was classified.

Sentencing guidelines typically call for a sentence of almost three years. Prosecutors sought only 15 months because of her cooperation.

Judge T-S Ellis the Third imposed seven months in jail, followed by eight months at a halfway house.

[maui_hawaii]

ping

[Dr. Marten]

Interesting..

[Steely Tom]

An extremely ambitious woman who is (or was) convinced she was smarter than pretty much everyone else. (I spoke with her on half a dozen occaisions, and was indirectly affected by the problems she left in her wake on another occaision).
(steely)

[batter]

Thanks for the heads-up.