France opened investigations into a cadre of French and Chinese citizens on suspicion of corporate espionage to do with critical semiconductor technology, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

French publication Le Parisien first reported that prosecutors have indicted executives at Ommic SAS, a Paris-based semiconductor manufacturer, for allegedly giving up French technology to foreign entities illegally, including China and Russia.

Ommic produces gallium nitride chips, which can be used in an array of technological applications. The chips are able to operate at much higher frequency and temperature than other semiconductors.

Ommic's clients include the European Space Agency. The company was acquired by US-based Macom Technology Holdings in May for $42.8 million. But Le Parisien reported that French investigators have now discovered a trail $13.2 million-worth of suspected illegal technology exports linked to the company.

French magistrates have filed preliminary charges against both French and Chinese nationals over the alleged illegal exports, forgery and other alleged crimes, ABC News reported, citing an anonymous source.

About MACOM

MACOM designs and manufactures high-performance semiconductor products for the Telecommunications, Industrial and Defense and Datacenter industries.  MACOM services over 6,000 customers annually with a broad product portfolio that incorporates RF, Microwave, Analog and Mixed Signal and Optical semiconductor technologies. MACOM has achieved certification to the IATF16949 automotive standard, the ISO9001 international quality standard and the ISO14001 environmental management standard.  MACOM has more than 70 years of application expertise with multiple design centers, Si, GaAs and InP fabrication, manufacturing, assembly and test, and operates facilities throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition, MACOM offers foundry and design services that represents a key core competency within their business.