The “Sintered” Scandal: Ex-employees of Metaldyne Sentenced to Prison
As if there are not enough variables that were already out
of our control, some companies have to also spend additional resources
protecting their intellectual property. Standard procedure, I guess,
considering the pressure-cooker environment of competition we’re all battling
in. Competitors are always trying to stay one step ahead of each other–often
by any means necessary.
But how about when it’s not the competition trying to one-up your company? What
if it’s your own employee? Disgruntled or greedy, nothing can justify their
actions and thankfully they’ll have some time to think about it.
The case of three former Metaldyne employees who planned on selling precious
trade secrets–specifically the formula for their sintered
(powder-metal) Metal Connecting Rods–to their Chinese counterparts.
Anne Lockwood (Former V.P of Metaldyne–received a 30-month sentence)
Michael Haehnel (Lockwood’s husband and former employee–6-month sentence)
Fuping Liu (Metaldyne metallurgist, 9-month sentence)
Story below…..
Joe Brown
Theft of
trade secrets nets prison terms
A former vice president of Metaldyne Corp. and two former senior employees
were sentenced in
prison terms after pleading guilty to charges involving theft of trade secrets
to sell to Chinese competitors.
U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood sentenced Anne Lockwood, 56, former
vice president of Metaldyne, to 30 months. Fuping Liu, 45 of
received nine months. Lockwood’s husband, Michael Haehnel, 53, was sentenced to
six months in prison.
They were indicted in 2006 on charges of pilfering the process for
manufacturing heavy auto parts from powdered metal from Plymouth-based
Metaldyne and Auburn Hills-based GKN Sinter Metals, Inc. Court records said the
two firms are the only companies in the world to make powdered metal
successfully into heavy-duty auto parts, such as connecting rods, strong enough
to place in large engines.
Court records said Anne Lockwood and the others set up a company after she
left Metaldyne to receive commissions based on anticipated sales to Chinese
firms.
“The case demonstrates the importance of protecting the intellectual
property of
auto suppliers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg, who handled the case.
Contact DAVID ASHENFELTER at ashenf@freepress.com.
