DETROIT (AP) -- Federal prosecutors say three ex-employees of auto parts supplier Metaldyne Corp. have pleaded guilty in a plot to steal trade secrets and sell them to Chinese competitors.
Fifty-five-year-old Anne Lockwood of Rockford; her 53-year-old husband, Michael Haehnel; and 44-year-old Fuping Liu of Flushing, N.Y., made the pleas Monday in Detroit federal court.
Lockwood was vice president for sales, Liu was a metallurgist and Haehnel was an engineer for Plymouth-based Metaldyne. Lockwood faces up to 33 months in prison, Liu up to 18 months and Haehnel up to 1 year. Sentencing is Jan. 15.
Haehnel's lawyer, Ed Wishnow, says the deal is fair to his client. The Associated Press also left messages Monday night for Lockwood and Liu's lawyers.
