Posted on 11/29/2005 9:18:04 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SANTA ANA – A federal judge on Monday overruled another judge's decision to grant release on bond to a U.S. defense technology engineer charged with being an unregistered agent for China. U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney said he recognized strong character evidence supporting the release of engineer Chi Mak but that the nature of the charge and alleged activities made it impossible to grant bond.
Mak, his wife, Rebecca Laiwah Chiu, and his brother, Tai Wang Mak, were indicted on a charge of being unregistered agents for China. All have pleaded not guilty.
Investigators allege that Chi Mak, 65, took computer disks from Anaheim-based defense contractor Power Paragon, where he worked on a sensitive research project involving propulsion systems for Navy warships, and took steps to send the information to China.
"This is a unique charge," Carney said. "I have to put that strong character evidence in the context of the charge. I don't know whether he's leading a double life or not. That's for a jury to decide."
Carney said defense arguments that prosecutors trumped up the case to raise alarm had not convinced him.
"You're talking about billions of dollars of technology that puts our country at serious risk. You are saying this is a big farce ... but this is a pretty darn serious charge."
Bond for Chi Mak had been set at $300,000 but he remained in custody as the government moved to block his release.
The judge emphasized the need for a speedy trial, possibly as early as late December. He ordered a status conference in two weeks, at which the defense may again seek to win Chi Mak's release on bond.
A second hearing scheduled later Monday was expected to include testimony from an FBI agent that could help explain why the government filed only one criminal charge despite making sweeping claims of conspiracy and theft.
An affidavit submitted last month by FBI Special Agent James Gaylord alleged the defendants committed crimes ranging from stealing government property to conspiracy.
Gaylord was expected to come under questioning from Tai Wang Mak's defense attorney, who is challenging the government's move to deny his client bond.
Authorities allege the information on the computer disks taken from Power Paragon was copied onto CDs and encrypted by Chi Mak and his wife.
The CDs were then given to Tai Wang Mak, who was arrested along with his wife, Fuk Heung Li, at Los Angeles International Airport in October as they prepared to travel to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China, authorities said.
Judge Carney is a George W. Bush appointee, 2003
The Federal Judge that thought it was ok to grant bond for Chi Mak should have to undergo a FBI security check into his background.
Who was the judge that was going to let him go and what is their background?
U.S. Magistrate Judge Marc L. Goldman appointed as U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, July 3, 2003.
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The alleged perps are of Chinese origin, Chi Mak and wife came here in the early 80s, they became naturalized citizens over the years. The other two relatives are Chinese nationals.
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Engineer accused of stealing Navy technology appears in court
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1520004/posts
or just hit the thread keywords for more comment, etc.
Anyone who cares to can see that the "naturalized citizens" are not being vetted or checked out by this government. Everyday there are stories of their crimes against America. And yet, we are thrown more "guest worker" nonsense, as if suddenly the bureaucrats will start doing thier job by actually checking out applicants.
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