Guilty Plea By Former Valspar Scientist Nabbed with Thumb Drive Containing Trade Secrets

We first posted about the arrest and indictment of David Yen Lee of Jersey City, New Jersey here: http://wombletradesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/03/chicago-area-valspar-employee-arrested.html.

Yesterday Mr. Lee pled guilty to the charges of economic espionage. You'll recall that when Mr. Lee resigned and turned in his phone and computer, Valspar found a hidden file containing unauthorized software programs including a data copying program. Data including Valspar trade secrets had been downloaded to the computer without authorization. Mr. Lee had booked a one-way airline ticket from Chicago to Shanghai scheduled to depart shortly after his resignation.

The U.S. Attorney is apparently recommending a sentence of approximately 5 years.