Canadian Man Arrested in New York for Allegedly Trying to Sell Tesla’s Battery Technology
A Canadian man living in China was arrested in New York on Tuesday after being accused of attempting to sell secret battery manufacturing technology belonging to Tesla. Klaus Pflugbeil, 58, was held without bail on a charge of theft of trade secrets, while his business partner, Yilong Shao, remains at large.
According to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, Pflugbeil and Shao, both former employees of Hibar Systems, a Canadian company acquired by Tesla in 2019, had access to drawings and documents that allowed others to replicate the battery manufacturing process. The duo allegedly formed a company to sell the stolen technology through online advertisements and videos.
Undercover agents met with Shao at a trade show in Las Vegas, where they expressed interest in purchasing the proprietary information. They later convinced Pflugbeil to travel to New York for a meeting, where he was arrested after trying to sell the technology to the agents.
The stolen technology was confirmed by Tesla to be secret, and prosecutors emphasized the importance of prosecuting individuals who engage in theft of trade secrets that could harm U.S. businesses and national security.
The case serves as a reminder of the risks associated with intellectual property theft and the government’s commitment to protecting innovation and competitiveness in the business world.
