dictionary

Judge urges mediation in Los Alamos scientist case, sources say

Lee

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The federal judge in the Wen Ho Lee case has recommended that the Justice Department and defense attorneys consider mediation that could result in a plea agreement, sources told CNN Friday.

The government maintains that Lee, who was fired from his job at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, jeopardized national security when he allegedly downloaded classified information about nuclear weapons to unsecured computers and tapes.

The sources said that both sides are reluctant to agree to mediation. Lee's attorneys have said previously he would not plead guilty to any charges listed in the Justice Department's indictment.

MESSAGE BOARD National security

LEGAL RESOURCES Latest Legal News Law Library FindLaw Consumer Center Select a topic Bankruptcy Discrimination Divorce Estate Planning Landlord-Tenant Personal Injury Taxes

Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge James Parker ordered the release of Lee on a $1 million bond pending his trial, which begins November 6.

The Taiwanese-born U.S. citizen has been held in federal custody since December. A hearing will be held on the conditions of his release Tuesday.

Federal authorities have investigated Lee for allegedly providing nuclear secrets to China, but Lee has been charged only with 59 counts of mishandling classified information.

Federal prosecutors argued against Lee's release, saying the scientist had already compromised some of the United States' most sensitive national defense information. They said that Lee could aid in the construction of an atomic bomb and that he should be kept in custody for the sake of national security.

Other conditions of release include home detention with electronic monitoring, mail searches and restricted visits, even those from his children.

His outside contacts and telephone calls would also be restricted and monitored.

Terms of Wen Ho Lee's release to be discussed Tuesday
August 24, 2000
Judge needs more time to decide on release of Los Alamos scientist
August 18, 2000
Scientist charged in nuclear secrets case may have been job-hunting instead
July 7, 2000
Wen Ho Lee indicted, arrested in Los Alamos case
December 10, 1999

U.S. Department of Justice
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.