1997-09-29 -- David Biehl sentenced.

David Biehl, president and owner of the now defunct Semiconductor
 Spares, Inc., was sentenced to 31 months.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 29, 1997

     MICHAEL J. YAMAGUCHI,  United States Attorney for the
Northern District of California, announced the latest
development in a series of industrial espionage charges arising
out of the theft, transfer and use of confidential and
proprietary spare parts drawings belonging to various Silicon
Valley semiconductor companies.  This morning, David W. Biehl,
39, of Redwood City, President and owner of the now defunct
Semiconductor Spares, Inc. (þSSIþ) was sentenced by United
States District Judge Ronald M. Whyte to 31 months
imprisonment, $100,000 in restitution to the victims, a three
year term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a
$50 special assessment in connection with his conviction on
conspiracy charges pertaining to the diversion of confidential
and proprietary parts drawings belonging to Applied Materials,
Inc.
     Biehl previously had pled guilty to charges that he had
conspired with Martin Calara, a senior planner at Applied
Materials, and John Green, an SSI marketing representative, to
obtain spare parts drawings belonging to Applied Materials and
to use those drawings to manufacture and sell parts in
competition with Applied.  As part of a plea agreement entered
into between Biehl and the United States, Biehl further
admitted that he had engaged in similar conduct involving
proprietary and confidential spare parts drawings diverted from
Varian Associates Inc. and Lam Research Corporation.
     Earlier in the course of this industrial espionage
investigation,  several defendants pled guilty to related
charges.  In particular, Mark Sabado, formerly a commodity
manager with Lam Research, the late James Duncan, a part's
manufacturer's representative, and Russell Black, a former
Varian Associates Engineering Manager, have each pled guilty to
mail or wire fraud charges arising out of the diversion of
spare parts drawings to SSI. Biehlþs co-defendants, John Green
and Martin Calara have entered not guilty pleas and are
awaiting trial.
         This investigation has been conducted by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation in San Jose.  Questions regarding this
matter may be directed to Assistant United States Attorneys
Richard Seeborg or Amber Rosen in San Jose at (408) 535-5061.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
Michael J. Yamaguchi, United States Attorney
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 11th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Main Office Number: 415-436-7200

Public Affairs Office: 415-436-7247; fax: 415-436-7234
Stephen A. Shefler: FAUSA and Public Information Officer
sshefler@justice.usdoj.gov
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