Former USPTO employee pays $122,480 for conflict-of-interest violations

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Former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Employee Agrees to Pay $122,480 to Resolve Conflict-of-Interest Allegations

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Christine Tu, a former Patent Examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has agreed to pay $122,480 to resolve allegations that she violated conflict-of-interest rules during the course of her employment with the USPTO.

Among other things, the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 prohibits executive branch employees from participating personally and substantially in particular matters that will affect their own financial interests. The settlement resolves allegations that, between October 2019 and November 2022, Tu worked personally and substantially on at least one patent application submitted by a company in which she had a disqualifying financial interest. In addition, the settlement resolves allegations that Ms. Tu reviewed more than 20 patent applications submitted by a company that was a commercial competitor of a company for which she owned more than $125,000 worth of stock. As part of the settlement, Tu has agreed to pay a civil penalty to resolve allegations that her conduct violated conflict-of-interest prohibitions for federal employees.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and Special Agent In Charge, Laura Barsczewski of the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General.

This matter was handled by Trial Attorney Joshua Barron of the Civil Division.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Updated March 11, 2026 Topic Labor & Employment Component Civil Division Press Release Number: 26-243