FederalDaily - June 13, 2006
NASA Admits Silencing Scientist Was Wrong
NASA conceded that denying a media interview request for the top climate change scientist at the agency was “inappropriate” in a letter to two senators last week. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., had questioned the agency about alleged incidents in which NASA scientists were prevented from discussing research findings. In a reply to Collins and Lieberman, NASA stated, “…An internal inquiry has revealed that one recent media request to interview Dr. James Hansen, of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, was inappropriately declined.” Collins reaffirmed the need for officials to have freedom to publicly discuss findings from taxpayer-funded studies. “While this incident is disturbing, I am pleased that NASA is taking steps to prevent similar incidences in the future,” she said in a June 9 statement.
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USMC to Investigate Civilian Killings in Iraq
The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) said it “will get to the bottom of allegations” that some of its military personnel killed Iraqi civilians on Nov. 19, 2005, and April 26, 2006. During a June 7 press briefing at the Pentagon, Gen. Michael Hagee, commandant of the USMC, stated, “As commandant, I am gravely concerned about the serious allegations concerning actions of some Marines at Haditha and Hamdaniya.” He added, “I can assure you that the Marine Corps takes them seriously.” Hagee said that he could not discuss specifics of the cases until the investigations were complete. According to reports, at least 15 civilians were killed in the two incidents.
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Personnel Data Stolen from National Nuclear Security Administration
Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, on June 9 issued the following statement regarding a security breach in Albuquerque last fall involving the theft of National Nuclear Security Administration personnel data: “I learned about this disturbing situation last night and my staff received a classified briefing on the breach today. While I’m relieved that only unclassified information appears to have been compromised, I’m still concerned for those whose data was stolen. There will be a thorough investigation of this matter, and the Department of Energy should hold whoever is at fault accountable. At this time, it is not known how many New Mexicans are affected, but I have asked that DOE contact the individuals whose data may be at risk immediately so that they may take precautions.”
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Ex-FBI Agent Pleads Guilty to Leak
Former FBI Agent Denise Woo pleaded guilty last week to one misdemeanor count of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed. According to a May report from the FBI inspector general, in 1998 Woo tipped off an alleged Chinese spy—and childhood friend—of an impending investigation. She was subsequently placed on administrative leave and fired. The guilty plea recommends one year of probation and a $1,000 fine. The prosecutor agreed to drop several more serious charges that would have lead to significant jail time. The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28, 2006, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Thom Mrozek.
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