Accused of Embezzling Millions
Response: "The online post contains false information"
Self-defense: "There isn't that much money"
According to the prosecution's indictment, Duan Zhenhao embezzled more than 1 million yuan in public funds. Before the trial, Duan Zhenhao's defense lawyer Zhao Fuwei introduced that Duan Zhenhao and Che were involved in joint embezzlement. Duan Zhenhao himself admitted guilt; he defended on the basis of mitigating circumstances.
The post also described how she married Duan Zhenhao in 1987, and since 1989, the couple had been living in the United States. In 2001, Duan Zhenhao returned to China to participate in a scientific research project, eventually staying long-term in China for development by 2007. During their separation, Duan Zhenhao maintained extramarital relationships with several women, fathered an illegitimate daughter, and gave away three properties.
During the trial, defendant Duan Zhenhao expressed differing views on the amount of embezzlement charged by the prosecution. Duan Zhenhao stated that the amount was not as high. After the trial, Duan Zhenhao's defense lawyer explained that among the amounts charged by the prosecution, part belonged to the surplus of project funds. According to relevant regulations, after completing a project, the research team can extract a certain percentage of labor fees from the surplus funds. The labor fees taken by Duan Zhenhao should not be considered as embezzling public funds.
Additionally, Duan Zhenhao's defense lawyer mentioned that Duan Zhenhao turned himself in voluntarily because before the investigation department went to his unit, Duan Zhenhao had already informed his unit about the matter. He also sent messages to his students, admitting his mistakes and asking them to truthfully recount the situation. Due to these two reasons, Duan Zhenhao's defense lawyer argued for a lighter sentence.
Last year, Duan Zhenhao was listed as a candidate for academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. After the announcement of the candidate list, a post exposing his affair appeared online. The poster claimed to be Duan Zhenhao's wife. In the post, Duan Zhenhao's wife accused him of keeping mistresses, including having an illegitimate daughter.
On July 21 last year, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences issued a statement on its website stating that Director Duan Zhenhao of the Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences falsely reported and misappropriated travel expenses,涉嫌贪污 (suspected of embezzlement). After verification by the Supervision and Audit Department of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the case was handed over to the judicial authorities for handling.
After the incident, Duan Zhenhao responded to the media, saying that most of the content online was false information fabricated by his wife. Regarding the matter of the illegitimate daughter, Duan Zhenhao stated that out of compassion, he had donated sperm to another couple and later lost contact with them.
Yesterday at 10 am, the prosecutor and defense counsel arrived at the court successively. Several staff members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences also came to observe the case, but media journalists were not allowed into the courtroom. Twenty minutes later, defendant Duan Zhenhao was brought into the courtroom by bailiffs. Duan Zhenhao is of average height and wears black-framed glasses. His co-defendant is Che.
Originally a candidate for academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Duan Zhenhao became embroiled in the "donation sperm scandal" after being exposed online by his wife for keeping mistresses. Subsequently, he was found guilty of embezzlement by his employer and handed over to the judicial authorities. Yesterday, the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court opened the trial of this case, where Duan Zhenhao faced charges of embezzlement.