FBI investigates possible corporate espionage at Ford

DEARBORN, Mich. – An engineer was fired and the FBI is investigating possible corporate espionage after listening devices were discovered inside conference rooms at Ford headquarters in Dearborn.

A now-former Ford employee, Sharon Leach, is accused of surreptitiously planting eight MP3 recorders in rooms around the automaker's Dearborn headquarters.

READ: Federal search warrant in Ford espionage case

The FBI searched Leach's home and seized email records from the former engineer, as well as items from the automaker.

"Ford voluntarily provided information and items requested in the search warrant," said the company in a statement. Ford also says they initiated the federal inquiry.

Neither Ford nor FBI would comment further about this ongoing investigation. Calls to Leach's attorney were not returned.


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Karen Drew is the anchor of Local 4 News First at 4, weekdays at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. She is also an award-winning investigative reporter.