Engineer accused of illegally helping China build reactors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Chinese-born U.S. nuclear engineer has been accused of recruiting a team of U.S.-based experts to help a state-controlled Chinese nuclear energy company build reactors there.

Szuhsiung Ho, also known as Allen Ho, had dual citizenship in China, where he was employed with the China General Nuclear Power Company, and the U.S., where he was owner and president of Delaware-based Energy Technology International.

An indictment unsealed Thursday in East Tennessee accuses Ho and the two companies of bypassing U.S. regulations on the production of nuclear materials outside the U.S.

Ho is further charged with acting illegally in the U.S. as the agent of a foreign government.

Sharry Dedman-Beard, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Knoxville, said Ho has been arrested. She did not know if he has an attorney.