CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — A former West Virginia University associate professor admitted to wire fraud and filing a false tax return, a federal prosecutor’s office said.
Qingyun Sun, 58, of Morgantown, pleaded guilty to defrauding the university and to the tax charge. The charges stemmed from his official travel to China, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell’s office said in a news release Thursday.
Sun was an associate professor and associate director of the United States-China Energy Center at the university, the release said. He also acted as the governor’s assistant for China affairs and was a consultant.
Sun has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $6,233.12 to the university. He is no longer employed by WVU, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Sun faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for wire fraud and up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000 for tax fraud, the release said.
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
