Wen Ho Lee Quotes

A collection of quotes by Wen Ho Lee.

Wen Ho Lee is a Taiwanese American scientist who was born on December 21, 1939, in Nantou County, Taiwan. He specialized in nuclear weapons research and worked as a scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, United States.

Lee gained prominence during a notorious national security case in the late 1990s. In 1999, he was accused of transferring classified nuclear weapons data to unauthorized locations, sparking a high-profile investigation into potential espionage. Though initially suspected of being a Chinese spy, Lee maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal.

The case garnered significant media attention and controversy due to allegations of racial profiling and mishandling of classified information. After spending nearly nine months in solitary confinement, Lee struck a plea deal in September 2000. He pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized retention of classified information, and all other charges were dropped. Lee was sentenced to time served and released.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Lee's actions were far less severe than initially portrayed, and the case against him was marked by a series of errors and questionable tactics. Lee's case sparked debates regarding the balance between national security and civil liberties, as well as the treatment of Asian Americans within the U.S. intelligence community.

After his release, Wen Ho Lee continued to maintain his innocence and became an advocate for civil liberties, often speaking out about the wrongful treatment he endured. He has received several awards for his contributions to science and his advocacy efforts.