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Criminal

Jul. 21, 2026

DOJ's midtrial exit from Pangang case raises questions, former prosecutors say

Former federal prosecutors say the Justice Department's decision to dismiss economic espionage charges against Chinese steelmaker Pangang Group after trial had begun is an exceptionally rare move, suggesting prosecutors typically identify fatal weaknesses long before opening statements.

Federal prosecutors almost never abandon a criminal case after opening statements and the presentation of evidence have begun, making the U.S. Department of Justice's decision last week to dismiss economic espionage charges against Chinese steelmaker Pangang Group an extraordinary event, according to former federal prosecutors.

"What happened in this case is unprecedented and anomalous," said Manuel A. Medrano, a partner at Rimon P.C. and former federal prosecutor. <...

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