Ex-U.S. Army Pilot Pleads Guilty To Selling Secrets to China

A 67-year-old defense contractor lied to get a security clearance and sold proprietary aviation technology information to China, according to DOJ officials.

Kimberly Johnson

Friday, June 24, 2022 at 01:15 PM ET

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The U.S. Department of Justice charged Shapour Moinian with selling proprietary information about aviation technology to China and lying to get a security clearance. [File photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Shapour Moinian, a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and defense contractor, pleaded guilty to selling proprietary aviation technology information to China.
Moinian also admitted to lying on government background questionnaires about his foreign contacts and job offers from foreign nationals.
He faces up to 15 years in prison for acting as an agent for a foreign government, selling technology, and making false statements.
Authorities highlight this case as an example of China's aggressive efforts to acquire U.S. defense technology, often by using social media to identify targets.

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A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot working as a U.S. defense contractor faces up to 15 years in prison after he admitted to selling proprietary information about aviation technology to China and lying to get a security clearance, according to the Department of Justice.

Shapour Moinian, 67, of San Diego, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges related to acting as an agent for a foreign government, selling aviation-related information that belonged to the U.S.-based defense contractor he worked for, and making false statements.