DOJ Axes Troubled 'China Initiative' After String Of Dismissals

DOJ Axes Troubled 'China Initiative' After String Of Dismissals

February 23, 2022, Law360

Stephen Anthony spoke with Law360 about the U.S. Department of Justice's decision to terminate the China Initiative. The National Security Division has redirected the Justice Department away from the China Initiative after receiving criticism from civil rights groups and the scientific community. As a result, the National Security Division will now work more closely with U.S. attorneys' offices to adequately vet cases before deciding to prosecute.

"That sets the bar higher for indictments of academics and signals a return to sensible enforcement," Stephen said. He added that it also represents a shift back to civil and regulatory enforcement mechanisms that were used to police research funding prior to the China Initiative.

Stephen continued, "It's appropriate that the Justice Department is getting away from an initiative that's focused on a particular country, but universities and federally funded research institutions still have to take care that they're providing accurate information to the U.S. government. It's not like all of these matters will go away and they don't have to worry about this anymore."

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