Chemist cleared of charges for ‘secret’ China ties sues university for helping Trump DOJ ruin his life
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Exclusive: Feng “Franklin” Tao’s “life, career, reputation, and finances are in shambles” thanks to unfounded claims the University of Kansas brought to the FBI, according to a federal lawsuit obtained by The Independent. Professor Feng “Franklin” Tao’s “life, career, reputation, and finances are in shambles as a result of KU’s egregious conduct,” according to a federal lawsuit filed Friday and obtained by The Independent.
![[Feng Tao (right) and his wife, Hong Peng, center]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/06/18/Screenshot-2025-01-06-at-1.25.48%E2%80%AFPM.jpg)
“Rather than embracing academic rigor and enlightened, critical judgment, the university allowed itself to join in fear mongering and racist witch hunting,” the complaint states, describing “vicious, unabated discrimination” on KU’s part. “It failed its own vision of being a ‘home to innovative research and the constant pursuit of knowledge’ and to be guided by ‘perseverance, positivity, and restless innovation.’ KU was wrong, should be ashamed of its actions, and deserves to be held accountable for the damage it caused to Professor Tao.”.
![[The University of Kansas has allegedly refused to reinstate Feng Tao, even after he was acquitted of all charges]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/06/18/Screenshot-2025-01-06-at-1.32.28%E2%80%AFPM.jpg)
Tao was arrested and jailed in August 2019 upon his return from a trip abroad, convicted in 2022, and acquitted in July 2024. He blames KU for “actively” assisting the government in bringing him down, citing in his complaint, among other things, a text allegedly sent by KU’s deputy general counsel to the FBI after agents initially took him into custody.
![[The Trump Administration’s “China Initiative” was implemented by FBI Director Chris Wray (left), under Attorney General William Barr]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/06/18/GettyImages-1189442344.jpg)
