Former DuPont Chemist Charged
Dr. Hong Meng Accused of Unauthorized Computer Access of Oled Technology

WILMINGTON, DE—David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware and Richard A. McFeely, Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Field Office announced today the filing of a one-count Criminal Complaint charging HONG MENG, age 43, with exceeding authorized access from a protected computer belonging to E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”). The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution.

According to the Criminal Complaint, Dr. Meng was employed by DuPont as a Senior Research Chemist at DuPont’s Experimental Station. The Complaint alleges that Dr. Meng worked on organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) technology, which represents the next-generation of television and computer displays. The Complaint further alleges that Dr. Meng had resigned his position with DuPont USA to take another position with DuPont China in Shanghai, China. In connection with his pending resignation, Dr. Meng was told not to transfer any DuPont confidential information from his work-issued laptop computer without obtaining permission from DuPont USA. According to the Complaint, Dr. Meng nevertheless downloaded approximately 595 documents from his work-issued laptop computer to an external storage device less than 24 hours later. Many of these documents contained confidential DuPont information regarding the next generation of OLED technology. The Complaint further alleges that a later search of Meng’s personal computer revealed that approximately 543 of the files initially downloaded from Meng’s work computer had been uploaded to his personal computer.

In addition, the Complaint alleges that Dr. Meng failed to inform DuPont that he had accepted a faculty position at Peking University in Beijing, China, in the College of Engineering, Department of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. A Search Warrant unsealed today stated that investigators have found several files saved to Meng's personal computer which indicate that Meng planned to launch a program with Peking University aimed at commercializing OLED technology for industrial applications.

United States Attorney David C. Weiss said of the case: “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting offenses involving the unauthorized accessing of trade secret information, particularly when such offenses involve the possible transmittal of sensitive trade secret information outside the United States.”

“Ensuring the protection of sensitive technologies created by our trusted partners in the private sector has, and will remain, a critical goal of the FBIs Wilmington office,” said Richard McFeely, Special Agent in Charge. “We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who exploit U.S. technologies for their own gain.”

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilmington Resident Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert F. Kravetz is prosecuting the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

A Criminal Complaint is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

For further information, contact United States Attorney David C. Weiss or Assistant United States Attorney Robert F. Kravetz.

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