Dr. Bin Han, a former UC Davis researcher was arrested at his home on May 18, 2002, after being fired by the University of California at Davis on May 13. He is charged of stealing medical secrets, then trying to take them to China. Davis Police say they found evidence including dozens of missing vials of protein inside Han's home. Dr. Han was initially charged with 3 felony counts: (1) theft of trade secrets, (2) possession of stolen property, and (3) embezzlement. He. pleaded not guilty to all three charges. The government, based on affidavits filed by U.C. Davis employees, obtained a search warrant of his home, then asked for and gotten a no-bail hold. He was considered a flight risk because the authorities found a round-trip ticket to China during the search. However, as the defense proceeded with its own investigations, the case against Dr. Han began to collapse and the D. A. has already dropped two of the more serious charges. The one remaining charge is the embezzlement of 20 vials of plasma protein: 10 thrombin and 10 cryoprecipitate gel. Dr. Han was released on his own recognizance on June 4th, after being held without bail for 18 days. This remaining charge was reduced by a magistrate on July 16, 2002 to a misdemeanor. Jury trial will begin on August 13th.
Dr. Han, a postgraduate researcher, began working for U.C. Davis in 1989 and was a member of University Professional and Technical Employees, CWA 9119, AFL-CIO (UPTE). UPTE is establishing a relief fund to support Dr. Han for his legal defense. The Chinese American Political Action Committee (CPAC) in Sacramento, California and led by Professor Ivy Lee has sep up a family assistance fund for Dr. Han. Please send your contributions to Guy M. Wong CPA, P. O. Box 660483, Sacramento, CA 95866 and make your check payable to Bin Han. All checks received will be forwarded directly to Dr. Han.