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| Science & Technology |
| "Who? Never heard of him" |
| 2005-11-15 |
| Purdue University is distancing itself from Noshir Gowadia, an engineer being held without bond in federal custody in Hawaii. Gowadia, who helped design the B-2 stealth bomber, was indicted last week on federal charges that allege the 61-year-old transmitted "national defense information" and exported "classified technical data related to defense articles to foreign persons." The former Northrop Corp. employee also spent time in Indiana, as a visiting professor at Purdue last spring. "He is not a Purdue employee -- never has been a Purdue employee," university spokeswoman Jeanne Norberg said. Gowadia, who was in talks with Purdue to collaborate on a portion of a $1.1 million Department of Defense grant, could face 60 years in prison if found guilty. Norberg said Gowadia had rented lab time at Zucrow Laboratories near the Purdue University Airport to test propulsion devices, and also worked as a consultant for a number of other universities, including the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and Georgia Tech. "Purdue being a leader in aeronautical and astronautical engineering (makes it) a place where someone like him would come to do consulting work," Norberg said. Gowadia apparently adapted a course he had taught at another university and offered his services for free to Purdue, teaching 12 graduate students. Gowadia's engineering contract business, N.S. Gowadia Inc., reportedly brought in $750,000 in gross receipts between 1999 and 2003, but prosecutors allege that his income was much higher. Had the contract on the Purdue defense grant moved forward, Gowadia would have received $150,000 as a subcontractor on a proposal that would adapt similar stealth technologies for commercial jets. "The ink had not dried on that when he was arrested," said Norberg, referring to the contract. The project, she said, has been put on hold and all information about Purdue's contact with the accused has been forwarded to the proper authorities. "As far as we know, we have nothing confidential here, but we wanted to help the authorities collect the information they needed," Norberg said. "We're cooperating with the investigation." In a statement he gave to the FBI on Oct. 14, Gowadia allegedly admitted he provided foreign countries with technological information. He allegedly told the FBI that he wanted to help the countries "further their self aircraft protection systems. At that time, I knew it was wrong, and I did it for the money." Later, however, Gowadia's son, Ashton, asserted that his father was not at fault and that the whole affair was a "misunderstanding." Gowadia pleaded not guilty Wednesday to all six counts, including accusations of violating the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. Among other offenses, the FBI alleges that Gowadia faxed a proposal to develop infrared-suppression technology on military aircraft to an unspecified foreign country in 2003 and taught courses to foreigners in a second unnamed country in 1999 using "secret" information. Gowadia, who has been in custody about two weeks, is being represented by attorney, Chris Todd, who said a medical condition suffered by Gowadia necessitates the need for bail. "He has been in detention for two weeks now, and he suffers from a genetic blood disease that requires uninterrupted rest," Todd said. "He needs that in order to effectively work with his counsel." But on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor denied a request to reconsider the no-bail order, saying Gowadia is a flight risk and most of the information he is accused of sharing is in his head. "He's portable and the information is portable," Gillmor said. Norberg said Gowadia's connection to Purdue, in light of his consulting business, was not unusual. "It's not uncommon to use our labs," Norberg said. "That helps pay for the facility, and these people within their fields network with each other." |
| Posted by:DeotGuy |
| #6 Have fun in Supermax |
| Posted by: Mark E. 2005-11-15 13:23 |
| #5 And daily Bubba visits? |
| Posted by: .com 2005-11-15 13:01 |
| #4 The danger that this @sshole might communicate secrets is just too great. If or when convicted, I recommend Permanent solitary confinement No human contact or communication No television, music, photos or reading material Subsistence diet without noticeable spices Room temperature water to drink No windows or external exposure No time outside Indirect artificial lighting Beige padded cell without any decor This maggot needs plenty of time to reflect upon his treachery. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2005-11-15 12:56 |
| #3 Bio and related articles at: http://www.cicentre.com/Documents/DOC_Noshir_Gowadia_Case.htm |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2005-11-15 12:11 |
| #2 What foreign country? France or China perhaps? |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2005-11-15 12:10 |
| #1 i Want to see this fella seriously punished - as in life behind bars not some cheap sht fine or similar |
| Posted by: Shep UK 2005-11-15 12:06 |