Lawmaker fears UI could lose grant money

MOSCOW (AP) - A North Idaho lawmaker says the University of Idaho could lose a substantial amount of federal research money due to a NASA investigation into possible grant fraud at a research laboratory.

Republican Rep. Tom Trail of Moscow said a NASA special investigator wrote a synopsis alleging grant money meant for the school's Center for Advanced Microelectronics and Biomolecular Research was instead used to personally benefit certain employees at the center.

The report in 2007 was sent to the Idaho attorney general's office as part of the state's investigation, which found problems but no criminal acts.

The NASA investigator also alleges that former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig traded UI research earmarks for campaign contributions.