The Latest: US scientist pleads not guilty in China case

ALBUQUERUE, N.M. (AP) — The Latest on a scientist charged with making false statements about contacts with a China program (all times local):

12:45 p.m.

A scientist for a U.S. laboratory in New Mexico has pleaded not guilty to charges that he lied about contacts with a state-run program in China that seeks to draw foreign-educated talent.

Turab Lookman of Santa Fe entered the plea Tuesday before a judge ruled that he could be released on a $50,000 secured bond with his family's home as collateral.

His travel will be restricted to the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas as he awaits trial on charges of making false statements while working at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The facility is tasked with ensuring the safety of the nation's nuclear stockpile and reducing weapons threats.

Prosecutors say Lookman had lied three times about being recruited by China's Thousand Talents Program and applying to participate in work there.

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12:01 a.m.

A scientist for a U.S. laboratory in New Mexico is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday on accusations he lied about contacts with a state-run program in China that seeks to draw foreign-educated talent.

Prosecutors say 67-year-old Turab Lookman, of Los Alamos National Laboratory, had been asked on an employment questionnaire and by officials if he had been recruited by China's Thousand Talents Program or applied to work there. He's accused in an indictment filed last week of falsely stating that he hadn't.

Federal prosecutors say the China program had been established to recruit people with access to and knowledge of foreign technology and intellectual property.

Court records did not yet list an attorney for Lookman. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.