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Intel Sues Ex-Engineer Over Alleged Theft of 18,000 'Top Secret' Files

The company seeks court orders for data recovery plus device inspection.

Overview

  • The federal complaint, filed Oct. 31 in the Western District of Washington (Case 2:2025cv02159), names former engineer Jinfeng Luo, who was officially summoned and must respond within 21 days.
  • Intel says Luo connected a network-attached storage device days before his July 31, 2024 departure to copy roughly 18,000 files, some labeled “Intel Top Secret.”
  • Company controls reportedly blocked an earlier external-drive attempt on July 23, prompting an internal investigation and forensic review.
  • Intel seeks at least $250,000 in damages, the return of its files, plus a court order requiring temporary surrender of Luo’s personal devices for inspection.
  • Intel reports it has been unable to locate Luo after repeated outreach, and coverage notes the case comes as the firm reduces headcount and cites a prior data-theft conviction involving another ex-engineer.