Former NASA Official Convicted of Steering Contracts

An Associated Press story reports that a "special government employee" at NASA was convicted recently of steering millions of dollars to consulting clients. The article provides in part:

When Mary Cleave, acting director of NASA's Earth-Sun System Division and a former astronaut, decided to conduct a nationwide search for bids for the earth science earmark, officials at Mississippi State were upset that they may not get the funds, according to e-mails introduced as evidence. Stadd's contact at the university e-mailed him asking if he could "provide some prodding" from inside the agency.

Cleave testified that Stadd summoned her to his office and told her only $3 million should be put out for nationwide bids. The remaining $12 million, he told Cleave, should go to Mississippi because of an agreement between the state's congressional delegation.

Afterward, Stadd tried to get the university to raise his fee from $7,000 a month to $10,000 a month, citing his help with the funding.

A related Washington Post article has more information.