A former Apple engineer has pleaded guilty to criminal charges that he stole proprietary information from the company while preparing to go work for a Chinese startup that makes electric cars with autonomous driving features.
Zhang Xiaolang, who was arrested in July 2018 on his way to catch a one-way flight to China, admitted to a single count of trade-secret theft at a hearing Monday in federal court in San Jose, California, according to the court’s electronic docket.
A judge ordered his plea agreement to be filed under seal from public view and set Zhang’s sentencing for Nov. 14. Trade-secret theft carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.