DOJ: Former Eastman Chemical Company employee convicted for stealing trade secrets to establish company in China
A former Eastman Chemical Company employee accused of stealing trade secrets to set up a new company in China has been convicted after a 12-day trial in federal court.
Dr. Xiaorong You, or Shannon You was found guilty on charges including economic espionage, possession of stolen trade secrets, and wire fraud. Prosecutors say Dr. You was granted access to trade secrets about a type of coating for the inside of beverage cans while working at Eastman and Coca-Cola, then stole those secrets which cost more than $100M to develop by major chemical and coating companies.
Dr. You then took that information and partnered with a corporate group to set up a coating company in China, including receiving millions of dollars in grants from the Chinese Government for support.
Dr. You is scheduled to be sentenced in US District Court in Greeneville on November 1.
