House questions destruction of NASA tapes

WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- U.S. space agency officials destroyed videotapes of a meeting between top agency officials, said Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C.

Miller -- the chairman of the Science and Technology subcommittee on investigations and oversight -- said he wants an explanation from National Aeronautics and Space Administration chief Michael D. Griffin, The Washington Post reported Friday.

Miller said the order to destroy the meeting tapes "appears on its face to be nothing less than the destruction of evidence."

NASA spokesman David Mould told the newspaper the meeting between Griffin and the agency's inspector general had been requested so Griffin could "discuss outstanding issues with the inspector general's staff and express support for a strong watchdog office."

Mould said NASA's general counsel advised that the tapes be destroyed when it was discovered the meeting had been recorded against the NASA chief of staff's wishes.