politics
CSIS says Natural Resources Canada tip-off started review of scientist Dennis Lu
Canada's spy agency told an Ottawa court that Natural Resources Canada first raised concerns about former scientist Dennis Lu in 2000. The disclosure came during pre-trial motions in Lu's breach-of-trust case.
Jul 20, 4:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Canada's top spy agency told an Ottawa court that Natural Resources Canada first approached it with concerns about former scientist Dennis Lu in November 2000, not the other way around. Department of Justice lawyer Sheldon Leung read from a CSIS document dated Nov.
20, 2000, stating that a source reported Lu had invited a visiting Chinese delegation without his manager's knowledge. Leung said the rest of the document contained details about a meeting and potentially sensitive government information.
investigation CSIS provided its last briefing about Lu to Natural Resources in February 2021. The department began its internal investigation in January 2023 after a new security team was formed. Former Natural Resources chief security officer Brad Lanthier testified that the team faced resource constraints and could not immediately handle a large investigation.
Lu's security clearance was later revoked and the RCMP charged him with breach of trust and unauthorized use of a computer.
The Crown alleges Lu copied more than 2,500 documents onto a USB key and external drive in July and August 2023. He faces trial before a judge alone in January. Pre-trial motions are ongoing. Lu's defence team has obtained access to hundreds of pages of third-party records.
