Federal authorities have accused an Ohio State University researcher and professor of funneling federally funded research to China.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio is charging Song Guo Zheng with grant fraud for allegedly using $4 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health to benefit China's knowledge about rheumatology and immunology.
Zheng is also being charged for making false statements about being employed in China while working at Ohio State.
Zheng was arrested in May carrying two laptops, three cell phones, several USB drives and other items. Federal agents allege he was trying to flee the country.
An Ohio State spokesman says Zheng is currently on unpaid leave from the Wexner Medical Center, and the school is beginning the process to terminate him.
If convicted, he could spend up to 15 years in prison.
