Chinese scientist Tang Juan makes first US court appearance over visa fraud charge
- Judge calls researcher a flight risk and orders her to remain in custody
- Authorities accuse her of concealing military ties to China to work in US
A Chinese scientist charged with visa fraud after authorities said she concealed her military ties to China to work in the US made her first appearance Monday in federal court by video.
Tang Juan, 37, was appointed a federal public defender and US Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes ordered Tang to remain in custody, saying she is a flight risk, while her lawyer prepares an argument to allow her release on bail.
The Justice Department last week announced charges against Tang and three other scientists living in the US, saying they lied about their status as members of China’s People’s Liberation Army. All were charged with visa fraud.
Prosecutors said Tang lied about her military ties in a visa application last October as she prepared to work at the University of California, Davis and again during an FBI interview in June.
Agents found photos of Tang dressed in military uniform and reviewed articles in China identifying her military affiliation, prosecutors said.