Ex- Los Alamos Scientist, Wife Indicted in Alleged Atomic Weapon Conspiracy. WASHINGTON - - A scientist and his wife who both once worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory before becoming outspoken critics were arrested Friday after an FBI sting operation and charged with trying to sell nuclear secrets to Venezuela. The scientist, Pedro Leonardo Mascheroni, is being detained until a hearing Monday morning in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His wife, Roxby Mascheroni, was released on a variety of conditions, including a monitor attached to her. The investigation first drew attention last October when federal agents reportedly seized six computers, two cameras, two cellphones and hundreds of files from the scientist, Pedro Leonardo Mascheroni.
Mascheroni declared his innocence to The New York Times last year, saying, . The government did not allege that Venezuela or anyone working for it sought U. S. Both were formerly contract employees at Los Alamos. According to the indictment, Mascheroni told an undercover agent he could help Venezuela develop a nuclear bomb within 1. Venezuela would use a secret, underground nuclear reactor to produce and enrich plutonium, and an open, aboveground reactor to produce nuclear energy. In July 2. 00. 8, the FBI agent provided Mascheroni with 1. Venezuelan military and scientific personnel.
According to the criminal charges, Mascheroni delivered to a post office box in November 2. Written by Mascheroni and edited by his wife, the document was entitled . He filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company in 1.
US couple allegedly tried to help Venezuela develop nuclear weapon. Donna Barbisch President, Global Deterrence Alternatives. The Philippines, Venezuela, France and Japan. U.S.-India Security Cooperation: Promise and Progress for the Next Administration. Alleged Atomic Weapon Conspiracy. Deterrence Program for Venezuela. Ex-Los Alamos scientist and his wife are charged with helping Venezuela. Nonproliferation, Deterrence, and Nuclear Strategy. The cascade then goes global: Venezuela, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Algeria, etc.
Over the years, he has repeatedly raised questions before Congress about the management of the nation's nuclear laboratories and arsenal and promoted his laser to ensure weapon reliability. Fox News' Mike Levine and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Couple tried selling US nuke secrets to. Mascheroni told an undercover agent he could help Venezuela develop a nuclear bomb within 10 years and that under his program, Venezuela would use.