One of two scientists from China accused of stealing trade secrets from a Kansas research facility hasn’t been able to make bond because a bank wouldn’t give his wife a loan.
A federal grand jury indicted Weiqiang Zhang and Wengui Yan in December on conspiracy to steal trade secrets and theft of trade secrets. They’re accused of stealing rice seeds from Ventria Bioscience’s facility in Junction City, where Zhang worked. Yan worked at a federal rice research center in Arkansas.
A judge in Kansas signed orders Jan. 31 allowing their release on $50,000 appearance bonds. It’s unclear if Yan has been released.
Zhang remains in custody. A motion filed Friday shows a bank denied Zhang’s wife’s loan request on their Kansas home because of concerns over Zhang’s creditworthiness.
