CSIS says a government tip-off led to review of former federal scientist

Canada’s spy agency says Natural Resources Canada first raised concerns about former federal scientist Dennis Lu more than 20 years ago, rather than CSIS initiating the inquiry itself. The disclosure came during court proceedings in Ottawa as the agency sought to clarify how the case began. Court heard new details about the timeline of the investigation, including a long delay between the last CSIS briefing in February 2021 and the start of Natural Resources’ internal review in January 2023. Lu later had his security clearance revoked and now faces criminal charges including breach of trust and unauthorized use of a computer. According to testimony, investigators alleged that Lu copied thousands of documents from the department’s network onto external devices. The case also examined email and phone records, access to work systems, and broader security concerns involving foreign interference and research protection. Lu’s trial in Ottawa is scheduled for January, while pretrial motions continue.