Cites nearly half a million dollars in state grant-funded climate research conducted while [Dr. Michael ] Mann— now director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State— was at UVA between 1999 and 2005.
From The Hook, it seems satirical YouTube videos will be the least of Dr. Mann’s worries now.
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No one can accuse Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli of shying from controversy. In his first four months in office, Cuccinelli directed public universities to remove sexual orientation from their anti-discrimination policies, attacked the Environmental Protection Agency, and filed a lawsuit challenging federal health care reform. Now, it appears, he may be preparing a legal assault on an embattled proponent of global warming theory who used to teach at the University of Virginia, Michael Mann.
In papers sent to UVA April 23, Cuccinelli’s office commands the university to produce a sweeping swath of documents relating to Mann’s receipt of nearly half a million dollars in state grant-funded climate research conducted while Mann— now director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State— was at UVA between 1999 and 2005.
If Cuccinelli succeeds in finding a smoking gun like the purloined emails that led to the international scandal dubbed Climategate, Cuccinelli could seek the return of all the research money, legal fees, and trebled damages.
“Since it’s public money, there’s enough controversy to look in to the possible manipulation of data,” says Dr. Charles Battig, president of the nonprofit Piedmont Chapter Virginia Scientists and Engineers for Energy and Environment, a group that doubts the underpinnings of climate change theory.
…
The Attorney General has the right to make such demands for documents under the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, a 2002 law designed to keep government workers honest.
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more at The Hook
h/t to Chip Knappenberger
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I am a VA resident, and all I can say is “Go get him, Cooch!”
No, he does not shy away from controversy, and he is both loved and hated for it.
Take Mann out to the woodshed and show him a new use for a hockey stick.
Well I am as abhorent of cooking the books regarding any science results, as anybody.
When dealing with material that the average person can’t reasonably be expected to understand to the point of making their own choices when it comes to issues where the government steps in on scientific grounds; such abuse by “scientists” is anathema to me.
But I’m also not in favor of government witchhunts; unless their is clear evidence of malfeasance..
I think it is ok for the AG to enquire as to just how Mann used State funds while he was being State supported; I think they need to tread very carefully.
In the long run; people such as Mann are going to be judged by their peers, in the light of history.
It is that they should be concerned about when they do their work; it shouldn’t be some beurocrat breathing down their necks; while having no understanding of the science issues.
It seems that Scientists who fabricate stuff. and are found to have done so do tend to get quite harshly treated. I’m not sure the average worker who screws up even on government pay (tax dollars) is similarly treated.
Like that guy in Robocop said … “Iiiiiiii LIKE it!!!!!!”
I am no Mr. Mann fan but I am even less a fan of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and his ideological dogma masquerading as the rule of law. I may not respect Mann for his ideological orthodoxy but attacking one ideology or orthodoxy with another is counter productive and unethical. Two wrongs still won’t make a right no matter what the true believers on either side of the equation say.
[REPLY – When asked the difference between orthodoxy and heterodoxy, one cleric replied, “Orthodoxy is my doxy, whereas heterodoxy is another man’s doxy.” ~ Evan]
Professors are strongly encouraged to get grant money help help support their research and their universities. The large research universities are supported to a substantial degree by research grants and professors spend an inordinate amount of time writing grant proposals. The competitive nature of research grants is one of the main reasons for America’s leadership in science. Not sure what the purpose is for harrassment of professors by state government. If professors stop getting research grants, does state government plan to just close down research universities? What’s the next step? Asking lawyers to sign off on research grants?
I think this is a great idea. Fire up the subpoena machine and get the raw data and all of the adjusted data etc… Even if no wrong doing is uncovered, at least get all the data in the public sector.
Uh-oh.
This is ugly!
You may not like him or the work he has done but using the minutiae of the law to bring the man down is going a bit far. I thought you freedom loving Americans wanted the State off peoples backs.
George E. Smith says:
April 29, 2010 at 4:17 pm
‘It seems that Scientists who fabricate stuff. and are found to have done so do tend to get quite harshly treated’
George. If they do not like fleas they should not sleep with dogs. People who bend over to enhance their careers are the problem with AGW. CO2 is not the issue, immoral conduct is the issue and its called dishonesty.
regards
i have mixed feelings about this. on the one hand, if Mann has done something wrong i think he should be punished correctly…but is there enough evidence to spend tax dollars on this trying to find out?
Sounds more like a witch hunt to me.
While some of y’all celebrate the present target –
I hasten to remind you that, quite often,
the snake turns on its handler once released.
I do not agree with Dr. Mann on some of his main points,
but for an attorney general, no less, to act this way
suggests that he knows little about the law
and respects it even less.
If there is still important raw data which Mann is still refusing to disclose, then the Virgina attorney general should proceed.
Wow. I hope sweeping swaths don’t cause global warming,
I have a feeling that this investigation will take years to resolve.
If the government got out of funding science, this wouldn’t be a problem. We need to save money, this looks like a good place to start.
I would feel more sorry for him if, every time he is interviewed, he didn’t give these emotional “I’m the victim” monologues …….
The guy is a fraud – he continues to promote his fraud – and the rest of us are being sked to fundamentally change the way we live because of it.
Sorry – he needs to be taken down and waiting for the history of science to ultimately write itself correctly is not going to happen fast enough.
Whatever Ken Cuccinelli is opposed to, you can assume the opposite is the correct position.
I have no comments on his actions, but I would definitely like to see more pictures!
Surely, as there is nothing to hide, there will be no problem producing any and all requested documentation(?)
George E. Smith says:
April 29, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Well I am as abhorent of cooking the books regarding any science results, as anybody.
plm – Then you should applaud “Cooch’s” fulfilling his obligation to the VA constituency in investigating Mann’s arguably fraudulent misuse of VA taxpayers (to say nothing of U.S. taxpayers $) . PSU’s whitewash of Manns conduct will stand as a longstanding embarrassment concerning PSU’s credibility.
There is a tragically overdue need for crimes against the public to be at least investigated, and then if found at fault, that the guilty be actually penalized – proportionately, and no less, no more.
You must be kidding, George, scientists conduct unquestionable “peer review”? Politics, power, money, ego – CAGW? Anyone remotely involved with wuwt and/or knowledgeable of the CAGW fraud knows that scientists have demonstrated the gravest failings concerning objective honesty in favor of one or more of the aforementioned human weaknesses (and others). Even now, little has actually been done to check past and current illicit “scientific” promotion of CAGW fraud while even more taxpayers money is being dedicated to rat-hole wasteful “green” programs that Chu and Biden have promoted TODAY – ie: CO2 sequestration, and more!.
Sorry, George, the in case you haven’t noticed the WORLD is in economic collapse, largely due to CAGW fraud and getting worse as objectivity is labeled “CAGW consensus” – just saw an Americanpower.com commercial this minute. Priorities, let’s get realistic priorities on the to do list – while we still have the chance.
Count me in the same boat as folks who are uncomfortable with this. The science has been politicized far too much already, and a drumhead lead by a career-aggrandizing narcissist isn’t going to accomplish anything except giving the Greens a martyr to rally around. This will fail and it will backfire.
It does seem a bit strong handed. But when scientists or any other person enters the field of public policy, they should expect to be treated as roughly as any politician.
The problem is that climate science isn’t really science; it is computer modeling. And it seems that the modeling is influenced by the desired political action.
One trend in scientific papers is the inclusion of more detailed data and methods as supplemental data. If I recall correctly, Mann’s most recent Science paper included 10 pages of supplemental material and massive amounts of data, available to all on the Internet. I doubt whether the AG or anyone in his office has any credentials for evaluating these data. The peer review system is not perfect, but it’s much better for experts to evaluate the validity and signficance of scientific manuscripts than for lawyers or random citizens to be involved. During my career as a scientist I have been involved as an writer, editor or reviewer of about 700 scientific papers and I am often impressed at how critical, insightful and useful peer reviewers are. Science is self correcting and BS is quickly exposed. Perhaps since a scientist career depends on one’s credibility with other scientists, fraud is very rare and quickly destroys a career.
I am fully in favor of an investigation. If Dr. Mann is found innocent then we should all stand up for the rule of law and any further harassment of Dr. Mann on these issues should cease.
If, however, there has been an orchestrated attempt to sway policy makers and public opinion with false data and presentations then let the wheels of justice roll. This is probably the biggest con in the history of mankind and the people responsible should pay a heavy price.
Do the ends justify the means?
While this type of “inquiry/inquisition” might well (finally) examine all the facts and all the charges, I too must agree with the many who have posted asking if this is a witch hunt.
I’m not a fan of Mann either, but one can smell the tar and feel the tickle of the feathers. Justice would be holding Penn State’s feet to the fire. In both cases, neither represents due process.
The answer to my question; NO!