Peter’s practice focuses on the representation of scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, and other individuals and business organizations accused or suspected of economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, government contracting and procurement fraud, export violations, espionage-related offenses, computer crimes, the False Claims Act, wire and mail fraud, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He has had tremendous success in persuading the government to decline to bring prosecutions as well as convincing prosecutors to dismiss cases that have already been brought. If a trial is necessary, Peter has a long track record, with scores of jury trials while at the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and in private practice. Peter is experienced in conducting internal investigations and counseling companies and organizations responding to government enforcement threats. His work in such matters includes grand jury investigations, administrative subpoenas, and Congressional investigations, with a particular focus on criminal trials.
A representation of Peter’s work on behalf of his clients includes the following:
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Representation of Chinese-American chair of Temple University Physics Department suspected of espionage on behalf of China; persuaded the government to dismiss a four-count indictment (US v. Xiaoxing Xi, 15-CR-204, E.D. Pennsylvania); see “US Drops Charges That Professor Shared Technology with China”, New York Times, 11 September 2015; “US Drops Charges that Temple University Professor Sought to Give Tech Secrets to China,” Wall Street Journal, 11 September 2015.
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Representation of Chinese-American scientist at NOAA suspected of sharing government files with China; persuaded the government to dismiss an eight-count indictment charging government employee with computer hacking, theft, and false statements (US v. Xiafen “Sherry” Chen, 14-CR-149, S.D. Ohio) one week before trial; see “Government Drops Charges Against Federal Employee,” Wall Street Journal, 10 March 2015; “Federal hacking case against NOAA hydrologist dismissed,” Dayton Daily News, 11 March 2015.
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Representation of Chinese-American businessman charged in 10-count indictment alleging wire-fraud; persuaded government to provide pre-trial probation and dismissal after six months, with no admission of wrong-doing (US v. Yalin Liu, 1:16-cr—0042, M.D. Pa.).
