NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS
CLOSEOUT MEMORANDUM
Case Number: 107100039 Page 1 of 1
1
We conducted a joint investigation with NASA OIG involving a PI at a Georgia college2 who
submitted false claims to NSF and NASA on grants over a five year period. Our investigation
revealed that the PI charged personal travel costs to an NSF grant and two NASA grants, used
grant funds for personal purchases, and charged the grants for advertising and printing expenses
for an unrelated art exhibit. The PI also charged the federal grants for activities related to his
personal interest in art such as trips to attend art exhibits, festivals, and meetings with art experts
all over the world.
Our investigation resulted in a settlement agreement requiring the college to reimburse the
federal government $1.2 million and to enter into a five-year compliance plan. Ultimately, the
college did not renew the PI's employment contract. As a result of our recommendation, NSF
debarred the PI for five years.
Accordingly, this case is closed.
NSF OIG Form 2 (11102)
Grant Fraud
Published by the National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General on 2013-10-22.
Below is a raw (and likely hideous) rendition of the original report. (PDF)