Former Apple Engineer Pleads Guilty For Trying To Flee With Self-Driving Car Plans To China


20-Year Pro Trader Reveals His "MoneyLine"

Ditch your indicators and use the "MoneyLine". A simple line tells you when to buy and sell without the guesswork. It’s a line on a chart that’s helped Nic Chahine win 83% of his options buys. Here's how he does it.


A former Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) engineer who downloaded plans related to a circuit board for the company’s self-driving vehicle has reportedly pleaded guilty to trade secret theft.

What Happened: Xiaolang Zhang had first pleaded not guilty to the charges but reached a plea deal with prosecutors and changed his plea to guilty, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing court documents.

The plea deal is reportedly sealed and sentencing is set for November this year.

Apple learned that the former engineer had been employed by X-Motors, a China-based company focused on electric automobiles and autonomous vehicle technology, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Zhang’s computer activity was forensically analyzed by Apple after the latter made his intention to quit the Tim Cook-led company, according to the Justice Department.

See Also: How To Buy Apple (AAPL) Shares

Why It Matters: Zhang was arrested at the San Jose airport after going through a security checkpoint, prosecutors said.

The 33-year-old former Apple engineer purchased a last-minute flight ticket to Beijing with a final destination to Hangzhou.

Prosecutors said that Zhang allegedly took a confidential 25-page document containing “detailed schematic drawings of a circuit board” that were meant for Apple’s autonomous vehicle.

This year EV manufacturer Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) filed a lawsuit against a former engineer alleging theft of “tightly guarded” trade secrets as well. 

Price Action: On Monday, Apple shares closed 2.3% lower at $167.57 in the regular session and rose 0.2% in extended trading, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

Read Next: Elon Musk In Latest Meme Says This Technology Is 'Demonic' To An Extent World Has Never Seen Before


20-Year Pro Trader Reveals His "MoneyLine"

Ditch your indicators and use the "MoneyLine". A simple line tells you when to buy and sell without the guesswork. It’s a line on a chart that’s helped Nic Chahine win 83% of his options buys. Here's how he does it.


ENTER TO WIN $500 IN STOCK OR CRYPTO

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

Posted In: NewsLegalTechMediaApple CarAutonomous DrivingChinaTrade theft