Mr. Stanton told people involved in surveillance that he was a “close personal friend” with Judge Ed Kinkeed of the US District Court, who appointed him, and ZTE settled the Justice Department. Company lawyers and Justice Department officials considered the term inappropriate and potentially unethical, people familiar with the matter said. Judge Kinkyd refused to comment further, saying “no one but me speaks for me.” A spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment. Unlike ZTE, rival Huawei actively fights sanctions and accusations by the Justice Department, claiming political incentives. ”The Justice Department did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 30, 2021 22:07 UTC