Indian National Stole Trade Secrets from Franklin Lakes Company, Feds Say

An Indian national working as an engineer for the Franklin Lakes-based medical company Becton, Dickinson and Company was charged Wednesday with stealing trade secrets from the company for personal gain, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said.

Ketankumar Maniar, 36, who until last week resided in Mahwah, had worked as an engineer for the company since February 2012, and was involved in the production of a self-administered disposable injector pen that has not yet been commercially released by the company.

Federal authorities said that in the weeks leading up to his resignation from the company on May 24, Maniar downloaded about 8,000 confidential files from secure company computer systems, including designs, data reports, and production schedules for the disposable pen.

Maniar allegedly transferred company files to external hard drives and forwarded confidential emails to a personal account. The day before leaving the company, federal prosecutors say, he called in sick to download materials from his company-issued laptop.

Following an internal investigation by BD, the FBI executed a search warrant on Monday at a Ramsey hotel where Maniar was staying. At the hotel, agents said they seized computers on which they discovered a “verifiable tool-kit for mass producing” the confidential company product.

Authorities suspect that Maniar, who they say admitted plans to leave the country this week, intended to use the information to obtain employment upon returning to India.

The FBI said the search of Maniar’s electronic documents also turned up resumes and cover letters, and an entrepreneurial finance book that led them to believe that Maniar intended to engage in production of BD’s product either on his own or with an Indian firm.

BD estimated the costs of developing the files allegedly in Maniar’s possession to be in the millions of dollars.

Upon being hired at the company last year, authorities say, Maniar signed multiple nondisclosure agreements, and files in his possession were clearly marked “confidential.”

BD, which is credited with manufacturing the first insulin syringe and is among the oldest medical manufacturers in the United States, maintains strict access to its Franklin Lakes headquarters and computer systems. Authorities said the trade secrets are vital to the success of the company.

If convicted, Maniar faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.