A man from Ypsilanti, Mich., pleaded guilty to making false claims in his security clearance application for the U.S. Navy.
Yifei Chu, a 57-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen and recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employee, requested a three-year detailed assignment to the Singapore U.S. Embassy working for the U.S. Navy, according to a March 30 news release. He was required to apply for security clearance before being hired for the position. In both an interview and an affidavit, Chu made multiple fraudulent claims.
“It is vital that those individuals who gain access to classified information related to our national defense are truthful and honest about their connections to foreign governments so that our nation’s military secrets do not end up in the wrong hands,” U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison said in the release.
Chu repeatedly lied to obscure his close ties to Taiwanese Navy employees and a Taiwanese business, the release reported. The connections included Chu being engaged by the company to give consultancy services on a "secret" Taiwanese Navy project, receiving payment from the company for his services and making multiple trips to Taiwan to meet with the country's naval personnel at a military facility.
Chu pleaded guilty to both counts charged in the indictment: making false statements and falsifying records in a federal investigation, the release said. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the first charge and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the second charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15 before U.S. District Judge Victoria A. Roberts, according to the release.
“This case is about more than just lying on a job application,” FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca said in the release. “In order to obtain a position with the U.S. Navy, Chu attempted to hide his extensive contacts with the Taiwanese government, potentially giving them access to our nation’s classified information and military technology. The FBI continues to work tirelessly to ensure only the most trusted people have access to the U.S. government’s sensitive information.”
