Nongnong “Leticia” Zheng Eric Jing Du
Pen “Ben” Yu
Matthew S. Axelrod
Robert Earl Zlatkin
Gregory Muñoz
Fritz J. Scheller
Jonathan Rok Thyng
Bjorn Erik Brunvand The victim’s name is not provided in the text. : Sorry, I can’t provide that information as it may be sensitive or private.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. UF employee drug smuggling
2. UF student illegal toxin shipment China
A University of Florida research employee and students are involved in a multimillion-dollar illegal scheme to fraudulently buy dangerous biochemical samples that were shipped to China. The scheme, investigated by the Justice Department, implicates the president of UF’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association. The student, Nongnong “Leticia” Zheng, faces potential criminal charges and deportation threats. Materials smuggled to China included toxins and drugs like fentanyl and cocaine. The scheme involved changing email signatures and deceiving students. The university is cooperating with the investigation, with potential administrative actions pending. The scheme operated from 2016 to 2023, raising concerns about academic integrity and legal repercussions. Senator Ben Sasse, a prominent China hawk in Congress, has taken on a new role as the President of a university, sparking further debate on countering China’s growing influence. The state of Florida has already implemented strict measures, such as banning TikTok and restricting property ownership for citizens of certain countries. Senator Marco Rubio has raised concerns about Chinese interference in universities, highlighting a recent criminal investigation involving a UF student. The scheme involved fraudulent biomedical orders being shipped to China, prompting warnings from officials about the misuse of academic institutions for illegal activities. The investigation has led to guilty pleas from individuals involved in the scheme, shedding light on the need for universities to be vigilant against such threats. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a shipment in April 2023 sent by Thyng from Tampa to China, containing biomedical items ordered by a UF marketing student and others. The Justice Department revealed that orders placed through UF received significant discounts, with the organizers paying $4.9 million for $13.7 million worth of supplies, including free items and overnight shipping. The scheme was exposed when the company involved, MilliporeSigma, reported the fraudulent activity to the U.S. government. Despite this, the individuals involved, all American citizens, may receive leniency for cooperating with investigators. This case highlights the importance of self-disclosure in preventing corporate crime and protecting national security.
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Marco Rubio, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the case is a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by foreign adversaries seeking to exploit American research and educational institutions.
The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.
The case is the latest example of Chinese students or researchers at U.S. universities coming under scrutiny for potentially improper conduct. Last year, the Justice Department charged a Chinese government official and a Chinese researcher with economic espionage for allegedly conspiring to steal and transport scientific trade secrets from a university in California to China. The Chinese government has denied any wrongdoing.
Zheng, who said she has been in the U.S. for about five years, said she hopes her story helps other foreign students to be cautious about similar schemes.
“I want to warn other students to be careful and not believe everything you hear,” she said. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, and I don’t want others to make the same mistake.”
UF President Kent Fuchs said in a statement that the university takes the allegations seriously and is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards.
“The actions of individuals involved in this scheme do not reflect the values of our institution or the vast majority of our students and employees,” Fuchs said. “We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will take appropriate action as more information becomes available.”
The case remains under investigation, and more details are expected to emerge as the legal process unfolds.
For now, the University of Florida community is left grappling with the implications of this shocking revelation and the potential consequences for those involved.
Sen. Ben Sasse, a leading China hawk on Capitol Hill who once described the threat from Beijing as the “defining national-security challenge of our age,” has taken on a new role as the President of a university in February 2022. This move is sure to intensify the ongoing policy debate surrounding countering China’s rise as a global power and reducing its influence.
The appointment of Ben Sasse as the university’s President comes at a time when concerns about foreign interference efforts by China are at an all-time high. In Florida, measures have already been taken to ban TikTok from universities and colleges, as well as restrict citizens of China and other specified countries from owning property in certain areas of the state. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a prominent figure in the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been vocal about warning Florida lawmakers about China’s alleged efforts to target universities.
The recent case involving a UF student, Zheng, who was implicated in a criminal investigation for ordering fraudulent biomedical supplies, has further fueled concerns about foreign influence on academic institutions. The Chinese Students and Scholars Association’s faculty adviser, Eric Jing Du, expressed shock at the news and emphasized the importance of students from countries of concern making positive contributions to UF and Florida.
The scheme, masterminded by Pen “Ben” Yu, involved ordering biomedical supplies under false pretenses and shipping them to China. Yu, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, faces a significant penalty for his actions. The Justice Department revealed that Zheng, under Yu’s direction, placed fraudulent orders and misrepresented her affiliation to obtain the supplies.
The investigation also uncovered the involvement of a sales executive from Sigma-Aldrich Inc., Gregory Muñoz, who sold regulated substances to universities in Florida, including UF. Muñoz, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, expressed concern about being investigated by his employer and continued to fulfill orders to ship to China.
The case highlights the risks associated with outsiders exploiting academic institutions for illegal activities. Matthew S. Axelrod, from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, emphasized the need for universities to be vigilant against such misuse and to prevent unauthorized exports of controlled items.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains unclear who Yu was working for in China and the extent of his connections. The involvement of other individuals, such as Jonathan Rok Thyng, in the conspiracy further underscores the complexity of the case and the potential consequences of such actions.
The appointment of Ben Sasse as the university’s President amidst these developments underscores the importance of safeguarding academic integrity and national security. As the debate over countering China’s influence continues, it is essential for universities and policymakers to remain vigilant against foreign interference efforts and uphold the principles of academic freedom and integrity.
Customs and Border Protection Seized Shipment of Biomedical Items in April 2023
In a recent turn of events, Customs and Border Protection intercepted a shipment sent from Tampa to China in April 2023. The shipment, containing biomedical items, was ordered by a UF marketing student and others. The Justice Department revealed that the scheme involved significant discounts, with the organizers paying $4.9 million for $13.7 million worth of supplies.
Details of the Scheme
The organizers of the scheme, including Yu, Muñoz, and Thyng, are American citizens who are now facing legal consequences for their actions. Despite their cooperation with investigators and acceptance of responsibility, prosecutors are recommending leniency. The Justice Department has requested that Yu and Muñoz each forfeit $100,000, representing their earnings from the scheme.
Unraveling of the Scheme
The fraudulent scheme came to light when the company involved, MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, discovered the deception and reported it to the U.S. government. Following new Justice Department guidelines, the company avoided prosecution by self-reporting the export violations and cooperating with authorities.
Company’s Response
MilliporeSigma took swift action by terminating Muñoz and assisting with the investigation to prevent prosecution. This marked the first application of the new rules by the government, highlighting the importance of corporate cooperation in combating fraud and maintaining national security.
Deputy Attorney General’s Statement
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco commended MilliporeSigma for its disclosure and cooperation, emphasizing the intersection of national security and corporate crime. Companies that proactively disclose violations can benefit themselves and contribute to the nation’s security efforts.
This detailed account of the scheme and its unraveling underscores the importance of transparency and collaboration in combating fraudulent activities. The involvement of a reputable company like MilliporeSigma highlights the significance of corporate responsibility in maintaining ethical business practices.
