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Feds: Florida Prof Scammed NASA for $3.4M

Research cash blown on cars, condos, charge court filings

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2009 3:02 AM CST

(Newser) – Federal agents have seized the property of a University of Florida professor accused of shuttling millions in NASA grants into his family's bank accounts, the Houston Chronicle reports. Nuclear scientist Samim Anghaie, who has worked on developing fuels for future Mars missions, submitted "multiple fraudulent certified contract proposals to NASA" and other federal agencies, according to court documents.

Some $3.4 million in research grants awarded to Anghaie was placed in personal accounts and used to buy luxury cars, land and condos, according to the documents. Anghaie’s Innovative Nuclear Space Power and Propulsion Institute at the University of Florida was shut down and the professor placed on indefinite leave after a federal raid on his offices earlier this week.

Dr. Samim Anghaie has been accused of bilking NASA out of millions.
Dr. Samim Anghaie has been accused of bilking NASA out of millions.   (Innovative Nuclear Space Power and Propulsion Institute)
The team developing the landing system for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory test the deployment of a parachute design.
The team developing the landing system for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory test the deployment of a parachute design.   (AP Photo/NASA, HO)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
riffran
Feb 27, 2009 5:01 AM CST
wow......radnip...that was a very insightfull (yeah baby!!!) comment.....with the loud ring of truth
Guest
Feb 27, 2009 3:27 AM CST
This whole NASA mess needs to be put on hold until we have money to burn again.
Guest
Feb 27, 2009 3:17 AM CST
When the leaders don't hold anyone accountable, including themselves, neither do any of their followers.

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