Former GE Engineers Charged with Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets

Allegedly Competed Against GE as ThermoGen Power Services Using Stolen Trade Secrets

ALBANY, NEW YORK – An indictment unsealed today charges Jean Patrice Delia, age 43, of Montreal, Canada, and Miguel Sernas, age 40, of Mexico City, Mexico, of conspiring to steal trade secrets belonging to the General Electric Company (GE). The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The indictment alleges that Delia, while employed by GE Energy in Schenectady, New York, stole thousands of electronic files belonging to GE, including proprietary tools GE developed to calibrate GE-manufactured turbines used in power plants around the world.  Delia and Sernas, operating as ThermoGen Power Services, used the stolen materials to compete against GE. Sernas had also previously worked for GE.  The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Delia was arraigned today in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel.  Sernas was arraigned in January.

The charge filed against Delia and Sernas carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers.