In federal ‘China Initiative’ case, Harvard might also be put on trial
- Defence lawyer suggests that what nanotechnologist Charles Lieber is accused of doing is just normal practice for professors with overseas ties
- Case comes to court amid concern that the Justice Department has overreached in its programme to stem the loss of technological secrets to China
As the federal case begins against the Harvard chemistry professor Charles Lieber over charges related to his participation in a China talent programme, a key point of contention is whether Harvard itself is on trial.
Amid jostling on Tuesday in federal District Court in Boston over jury selection and what evidence and witnesses to allow, Harvard’s inclusion as a de facto defendant was a potentially important strategic issue, legal experts said.
The pre-trial wrangling between government prosecutors and Lieber’s defence team suggested as much.
“The government substantially is concerned that we are going to highlight – rather than Dr Lieber’s alleged involvement with China – all of Harvard University’s deep ties to China,” Marc Mukasey, Lieber’s lead lawyer, said in a hearing aimed at setting terms before the jury was seated.
“Harvard has funds in China, they have classes in China, they have centres in China. Many Harvard faculty and presidents have travelled to China,” Mukasey added. “Harvard has touted its own connections to China, literally going back to 1869 when the first professor from China came to Harvard for an exchange programme.”