The Inland Northwest Space Alliance (INSA) found black hole – the budget

SUMMARY: Here’s a good example why it’s a mistake for Congress to dole out money with special “earmark” provisions.

Legislative auditors are signaling possible criminal violations involving former University of Montana administrators at the head of a project supposedly working to promote space privatization, funded largely with federal money funneled to the group by Sen. Conrad Burns (with letters of support from Sen. Max Baucus and Rep. Dennis Rehberg). NASA, the agency whose budget was tapped by Burns to bankroll the endeavor and, ultimately, the creation of the Inland Northwest Space Alliance, has an inspector general investigating the matter. Reportedly, the FBI’s also doing some sleuthing into the mess.

Montana’s Legislative Auditor’s Division issued a report this week. In letters recently mailed to the state attorney general, governor and commissioner of political practices, it cited possible violation of state law governing conflicts of interest by two UM administrators who went to work for INSA after its creation with money Burns earmarked for the university’s undertaking. The legislative auditor also pointed to possible violation of state nepotism laws regarding the spouse of one of those administrators also placed on INSA’s payroll.
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Meanwhile, it turns out that a good chunk of the money Burns secured for UM and INSA went to a company called Compressus Inc., which in turn employed to the tune of six figures lobbyist Leo Giacometto, formerly Sen. Burns’ chief of staff.

Full Opinion: http://missoulian.com/articles/2006/06/18/opinion/opinion1.txt

Montana Lawmakers question NASA grant spending for INSA http://www.matr.net/article-19585.html

Ethics Issues Raised in University of Montana Space Programs http://www.matr.net/article-19543.html

UM space center records investigated. NASA Office of Inspector General investigates the Northern Rockies Center for Space Privatization and the Inland Northwest Space Alliance http://www.matr.net/article-19317.html

INSA Fights PR Battle http://www.matr.net/article-19031.html

Investigation Into UM Space Center Will Involve Montana Senator Conrad Burns and Representative Denny Rehberg http://www.matr.net/article-18650.html

INSA, University of Montana, Senator Conrad Burns, Representative Denny Rehberg connected through current investigation http://www.matr.net/article-18562.html

Space Center (INSA) Investigation Casts Doubt on Montana University Leaders http://www.matr.net/article-18565.html

George Bailey, president of the Inland Northwest Space Alliance denies impropriety in Lloyd Chesnut and his wife earning nearly $130,000 at the company. http://www.matr.net/article-18460.html

Montana University Regents concerned about use of NASA funding. Wants to know what UM’s Northern Rockies Center for Space Privatization has to show for the $3 million it received from noncompetitive NASA grants http://www.matr.net/article-18360.html