American prosecutors are seeking to extradite a Danish research who they allege stole over $1 million of research funding.

Poul Thorsen, a 49 year old Danish native, is accused of siphoning off money meant for autism research. US attorney Sally Yates said in a statement that in the 1990s Thorsen worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and helped establish a research programme linking up with scientists in Denmark.

After he returned to Denmark in 2002 he allegedly began stealing grant money via fraudulent expenses claims given to Danish institutions for work claimed to have been done by a CDC laboratory. Money transferred to purported CDC bank accounts was actually routed to Thorsen, says a statement from the US Attorney’s office.

Over $1 million was obtained by Thorsen who allegedly used it to buy a home in Atlanta, a Harley Davidson, and two cars, says the statement.

“Grant money for disease research is a precious commodity. When grant funds are stolen, we lose not only the money, but also the opportunity to better understand and cure debilitating diseases,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

Thorsen has been charged with 13 counts of wire fraud and 9 counts of money laundering.