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Although China Agricultural University’s Li Ning denies embezzling millions of yuan in research funds, a Chinese court ruled last week (January 3) that he is guilty, levying a sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of 3 million yuan, Nature reports. Li’s former assistant, Zhang Lei, aided in the criminal activity, the court found. Zhang, who admitted to the charges, was sentenced to more than 5 years in prison and fined 200,000 yuan.
Between July 2008 and February 2012, Li, famous for his work in animal cloning and genetic modification, took 34.1 million yuan ($4.9 million) in grant money and “invested” it in companies that he and Zhang had set up to receive the funds, the court found. Li testified that he intended to use the money to support his lab’s research through a funding gap the resulted from the government’s requirement to return ...
