Scientist, family accused of NASA fraud

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- A University of Florida scientist and his family have been accused of defrauding NASA of "hundreds of thousands of dollars," officials said Thursday.

Court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tallahassee, Fla., describe a criminal and civil investigation into "fraudulent" invoices that resulted in funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to Samim Anghaie, 59, his wife, Sousan, 54, and their two adult sons.

Anghale, currently working at University of Florida under two National Aeronautics and Space Administration grants to study the use of nuclear power for space travel, was placed on leave with pay, the Orlando Sentinel said.

Authorities are reported seeking to seize the family's six cars, several bank accounts and real estate holdings.

The investigation centers on activities of New Era Technology, which was started in 1988 as a high-technology research company, the Sentinel said. Sousan Anghaie serves as president of the company.

Since 1999, NETECH has won 13 federal contracts worth $3.4 million, court documents showed, of which about $2.5 million came from NASA.