NEW : FBI says physicist wanted $ 5000 for information . The scientist and his wife are accused of trying to provide nuclear secrets to Venezuela . According , to a U.S. Justice Department statement , Mascheroni allegedly asked about obtaining Venezuelan citizenship and described how he expected to be paid for his classified nuclear work for Venezuela . Venezuela 's government knew nothing about the plans , officials say . The Venezuelan citizens worked as scientists at the New Mexico laboratory .
NEW : FBI says physicist wanted $ 5000 for information . The scientist and his wife are accused of trying to provide nuclear secrets to Venezuela . Venezuela 's government knew nothing about the plans , officials say . The Venezuelan citizens worked as scientists at the New Mexico laboratory .