Chinese National formally indicted on charges of stealing trade secrets from Phillips 66 in Bartlesville

The 35-year old Chinese national accused last month of stealing trade secrets from Phillips 66 where he worked in Bartlesville has been formally indicted by a Tulsa federal grand jury.

The indictment was announced Thursday by the U.S. Attorney in Tulsa against Hongjin Tan who is accused of the theft of trade secrets, the unauthorized transmission of trade secrets and the unauthorized possession of trade secrets. He allegedly had the secrets on a computer and was accused of preparing to give them to a company that had offered him a job.

Tan was arrested in December on charges of stealing trade secrets pertaining to methods for developing a particular Research and Development Downstream Energy Market Product according to the announcement. His arrest came after an investigation by the FBI and the Dallas Customs and Border Protection.

At the time of the arrest in December, prosecutors and investigators spoke of the case as reported by OK Energy Today.

“Hongjin Tan allegedly stole trade secrets related to a product worth more than $1 billion from his U.S.-based petroleum company employer, to use for the benefit of a Chinese company where he was offered employment,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers. “The theft of intellectual property harms American companies and American workers. As our recent cases show, all too often these thefts involve the Chinese government or Chinese companies. The Department recently launched an initiative to protect our economy from such illegal practices emanating from China, and we continue to make this a top priority.”

“The United States filed a criminal complaint against a Chinese national alleging the theft of intellectual property from a company with significant operations in Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The value of the trade secrets in this case is estimated to be more than $1 billion dollars. Theft of critical research, development, and other intellectual property harms the economic prosperity and security of the United States. My office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will utilize all tools available to respond to these types of threats. We will protect Oklahomans and Oklahoma businesses by prosecuting those who violate the law.”

According to the criminal complaint, Tan allegedly stole trade secrets from a U.S.-based petroleum company regarding the manufacture of a “research and development downstream energy market product.” The company’s methods of developing the product are of great value, both economically and to competitors. Until recently, Tan worked for the petroleum company and allegedly downloaded hundreds of files, including files related to the manufacture of the product. Investigators allege that Tan was offered a job at a company in China where he planned to use these files to benefit his new employer. Tan has been residing in the United States for the past 12 years.