Trial to begin for B-2 bomber engineer from Maui accused of selling military secrets to China

Hawaii man’s China military secrets trial to begin

HONOLULU — A former B-2 stealth bomber engineer from Maui who is accused of selling military secrets to China is due to face trial in federal court this week.

Noshir Gowadia (NOH’-sheer GO’-wah-dee-a) faces 21 counts including conspiracy, violating the arms export control act and money laundering.

The trial comes some 4½ years after the 66-year-old’s arrest. It was originally scheduled to start in 2006, but the need for lawyers to obtain classified clearances and other issues repeatedly pushed back the date.

Gowadia has been in federal detention since his October 2005 arrest because a judge ruled he is a flight risk.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday at U.S. District Court in Honolulu, and opening statements are expected the following day. The trial is expected to last at least two months.