The Probe Into Optica Expands
Congress expands its probe as reporting reveals more and Optica's answers don't line up
Optica has been under Congressional scrutiny after reporting in May from Bloomberg exposed that the organization had accepted millions in funds from Huawei, a sanctioned Chinese technology company. Within weeks Optica had cut ties with Huawei and returned the money.
Bloomberg reporters kept digging, and in June reported about internal documents showing that CEO Elizabeth Rogan had traveled to China in November 2023 and visited Huawei, a stop that was not mentioned in social media or internal communications, making it appear secretive.
Now, Congress is expanding its probe into Optica, per new reporting by Bloomberg, with the Committee publishing a news release and an updated letter about the investigation this Tuesday.
Some of the statements in the letter show the growing irritation with Optica within the Committee investigating these matters:
“We do not believe Optica properly acknowledged the full extent of Huawei’s influence in its response to the Committee. Our ability to fully assess the implications of Optica’s relationship with Huawei in terms of research security policymaking is undermined by our incomplete understanding of its scope.
“As the research ecosystem at large has adapted, it seems that Optica has remained locked in an outdated posture, deepening its relationship with Huawei as the company is slapped with sanctions by multiple government agencies. The only demonstrable risk awareness Optica has displayed is the secrecy required to protect its own reputation.”
The lawmakers also write in the letter:
“. . . it is deeply strange that a US-based scientific society would put so much effort into connecting a sanctioned company to scientists conducting sensitive, cutting-edge research.”
This does not seem to be headed in a good direction.
My guess is that Rogan won’t last the year, and that Optica will have to clean house and more to make amends for what has transpired.
- This is also occurring as the White House has issued new security rules for government-funded research.
- Not an opportune time to be caught in bed with a sanctioned company . . .