Prof. Feng “Franklin” Tao, initially charged under the “China Initiative” for allegedly concealing ties with a Chinese university, successfully had his charges dismissed in federal appeals court, ending his four-year battle against unfounded accusations. He expressed immense gratitude for the support from his lawyers and community organizations, especially the UCA team.
7月11日,华裔学者陶丰教授(Feng “Franklin” Tao)在联邦上诉法院成功清除了自己的罪名。他是“China Initiative”第一位被起诉的华裔教授,也是最后一位结案的华裔教授。作为堪萨斯大学的化学教授,陶教授被不当指控隐瞒与中国一所大学的工作关系,并参与了中国政府主导的人才计划但未按规定披露,涉嫌欺诈堪萨斯大学和提供研究经费的联邦机构。作为第一位被“中国行动计划”起诉、也是最后一位结束该计划起诉程序的华裔教授,陶教授被联邦政府以十项重罪被起诉。其后的陪审团减低到四项重罪有罪,但是主管法官认为其中三项定罪有严重司法瑕疵的问题,最后剩下的一项,陶教授表示不服并上诉,如今被上诉法庭撤销。在声明中,他说,“这四年来,对这十个毫无根据的罪状的抗争是一场令人难以想象的斗争。”他并感谢律师及华人和亚裔团体,包括UCA, AAJC, Committee 100, APA Justice, Asian American Scholar Forum, CALDA, AFI, OCAA等等,其中尤其感谢UCA及其会长薛海培和团队的鼎力支持。