Mark Zuckerberg Becomes the Sixth-Richest Person
Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook Inc. founder, saw his fortune rise $6.2 billion in trading Thursday after the world’s biggest social network delivered another quarter of record revenue. That gives the 31-year-old a net worth of $47.6 billion. Facebook reported on Wednesday that fourth-quarter sales were up 52 percent to $5.84 billion and net income had more than doubled to $1.56 billion from a year earlier. More than 1.59 billion users are now logging on every month, according to the company. (Bloomburg.com)
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets
Mo Hailong, aka Robert Mo, 46, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to steal trade secrets before U.S. District Judge Stephanie M. Rose of the Southern District of Iowa. According to the plea agreement, Hailong admitted to participating in long-term conspiracy to steal trade secrets from DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto. Hailong further admitted to participating in the theft of inbred-or parent-corn seeds for the purpose of transporting to China.
Conspiracy to steal trade secrets is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. As part of Hailong’s plea agreement, the government has agreed not to seek a prison sentence exceeding five years. (DOJ News Release)
