ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WENY) -- A husband and wife formerly of Horseheads, NY have pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a scheme to defraud multiple U.S. agencies of funds totaling more than $8 million. 

According to the Western District U.S. State Attorney's Office, 46-year-old Bin "Ben" Wen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and 45-year-old Peng "Jessica" Zhang, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. 

As part of the plea, the defendants agreed to forfeit nearly $5 million in assets from their criminal activity. 

Between June 2010 and December 2015, the defendants participated in a scheme to defraud agencies of federal research funds which were awarded to companies controlled by Wen and Zhang. 

In December 2003, Zhang incorporated United Environment and Energy, L.L.C. (UEE) in Horseheads, NY. Meanwhile, in December 2007, Wen established Advanced Technologies and Materials, L.L.C. (ATM) in Horseheads, as well. 

UEE submitted approximately 13 applications to the National Science Foundation (NSF) totaling more than $2.6 million, 10 applications to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), totaling more than $5 million, and four applications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), totaling approximately $650,000. 

According to the State DA's Office, the defendants received, through their companies, about $8.4 million in awards from the NSF, DOE, and the USDA. 

Wen and Zhang submitted false and fraudulent information in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). 

A substantial amount of the fraudulently obtained money went toward the personal use and benefit of the defendants. 

Wen faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Zhang faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.