small-logo
ProfessionalsCapabilitiesInsights & NewsCareersLocations
About UsAlumniOpportunity & InclusionPro BonoCorporate Social Responsibility
Stay Connected:
facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube
  1. Privacy & Data Security

Blog

Judge Sentences Man to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Theft of Trade Secrets

  • PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page
  • PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page

Blog

Judge Sentences Man to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Theft of Trade Secrets

  • PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page

1 Min Read

Author

Steven Grimes

Related Locations

Chicago

Related Topics

Trade Secrets
Data Breach

Related Capabilities

Trade Secrets, Non Competes & Restrictive Covenants
Privacy & Data Security
Compliance Programs

Related Regions

North America

February 26, 2020

On February 18, 2020, District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. sentenced a North Carolina Man, Craig German, to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal trade secrets. Mr. German pled guilty to the charge in September 2019. 

According to the DOJ, Mr. German and two other men worked together to steal trade secrets including aircraft wing schematics and anti-ice testing documents from aircraft companies both inside and outside of Georgia. The men were attempting to develop anti-ice aircraft technology for another company and allegedly stole trade secrets to speed the new product to market. Mr. German emailed documents to his co-conspirators.  

Mr. German faced up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentence includes a fine of $2,000 and three years of supervised release following the almost six-year sentence. The FBI Special Agent in Charge in Atlanta remarked, “We are pleased by this sentence, and the FBI will continue to aggressively protect America’s economic security and intellectual property from foreign adversaries.” 

TIP: As the DOJ and FBI continue their ramped-up focus on criminal prosecution of trade secret theft, companies should look at criminal referrals as an additional tool in combatting and discouraging theft of their valuable trade secrets.

Related Professionals

Related Professionals

Steven Grimes

Steven Grimes

This entry has been created for information and planning purposes. It is not intended to be, nor should it be substituted for, legal advice, which turns on specific facts.

Logo
facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube

Copyright © 2025. Winston & Strawn LLP

AlumniCorporate Transparency Act Task ForceDEI Compliance Task ForceEqual Rights AmendmentLaw GlossaryThe Oval UpdateWinston MinutePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyFraud & Scam AlertsNoticesSubscribeAttorney Advertising