Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

UCSD's ethics conundrum continues as backstage deals loom

Alzheimer's legal settlement pending, physicist's criminal case to follow

As yet another academic scandal emerges at UCSD, court records show that the school is on the verge of cutting a deal with the University of Southern California, sued last summer by UCSD over the departure of Paul Aisen, who took UCSD's lucrative Alzheimer’s research program to the university's bitter Los Angeles rival.

Paul Aisen

As previously reported here, after flinging accusations of theft and dishonesty at each other for months, the two institutions agreed to sit down together January 4 at a so-called Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, conducted by federal magistrate judge Jill L. Burkhardt.

With the litigation threatening to expose more embarrassing lab laundry, pressure was reportedly growing on both sides to come up with some sort of accommodation, which, judging from a January 7 order by Burkhardt, is likely to soon be made public.

"The parties shall lodge with the Court a PDF document containing the terms of the agreement reached by the parties during the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, 1/8/2016,” says the instruction by Burkhardt.

Sponsored
Sponsored

In addition, Burkhardt's order says, a motion “containing the terms of the parties' agreement, as well as any other language the parties agree is necessary and appropriate for purposes of the stipulation" is to be filed in the case by the end of Monday, January 11.

The courthouse war of science broke out last July following Aisen's abrupt decampment to USC.

"May 22nd, Dr. Aisen told all the staff at the [Alzheimer's program] he's moving to USC and that they're going to lose their jobs," maintained UCSD's attorney, Dan Sharp.

"And on May 23rd, Dr. Mobley called Dr. Aisen into his office and said that was wrong to do and took away his computer access, because Dr. Mobley was concerned about Dr. Aisen stealing the data, and that's exactly what he did."

USC lawyers countered that its rival had “pressured Dr. Aisen to move [the Alzheimer’s program] to the UCSD campus so that UCSD could collect indirect costs of up to 55 percent, a move which would have crippled the program financially by diverting too much grant funding from research projects into UCSD’s Administration.”

Whether Monday's settlement is intended to mark a final end to the wrangling is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, UCSD has been confronted with other questions of ethics arising from the guilty plea made by former space physics research professor Homayoun Karimabadi to federal charges of grant fraud.

According to a January 7 news release by the U.S. Attorney's office here, Karimabadi and SciberQuest, Inc., a corporation he operated, received "$6.4 million under 22 separate grants or contracts. Of those, eight were Small Business Innovation Research grants with a value of about $1,760,000."

To obtain the federal support, which was provided by the Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation, the professor "made false statements to government officials," the release says.

"Specifically, in award proposals, Dr. Karimabadi failed to disclose all of his and SciberQuest’s current and pending grants or contracts, thereby overstating the time he and SciberQuest could devote to the projects he was applying to receive."

Additionally, "Dr. Karimabadi also falsely certified in [Small Business] award proposals submitted to NASA and USAF that he was primarily employed by SciberQuest. In truth, he was employed full-time at UCSD both at the time of the award submission and during the performance of the grant.”

According to the document, “Dr. Karimabadi and SciberQuest made these false statements to be awarded grants or contracts that they likely would not have received but for the deception. As a result, from 2005 to 2013, Dr. Karimabadi received over $1.9 million in salary from SciberQuest due, in part, to the fraudulently obtained grants or contracts."

NASA inspector general Paul Martin was quoted as saying, "Individuals who fraudulently obtain federal research funds earmarked for small businesses deprive others of an opportunity to pursue meaningful technological discoveries.”

Added U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy, "Dr. Karimabadi took advantage of his trusted positions at SciberQuest and UCSD to deceive government agencies into awarding federal grants or contracts."

She continued, "Federal research funding is an important stimulus to local economies, especially in San Diego, which has a large research university presence. Fraud in the award process threatens to undermine confidence in the continued federal funding of research and innovation.”

Sentencing for SciberQuest is set for March 18, with the firm and Karimabadi agreeing to forfeit $180,000.

In addition, the release says, Karimabadi will be in court January 15, 2016, "for further proceedings to enter a Deferred Prosecution Agreement for his role in the matter."

Explains the document, "A deferred prosecution agreement is an agreement between a criminal defendant and the United States Attorney’s Office wherein the defendant admits to the facts constituting a criminal offense, but the United States agrees to suspend the entry of judgment for a period of time and agrees to dismiss the charges if, during that period, the defendant complies with certain conditions set forth in the agreement."

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

March is typically windy, Sage scents in the foothills

Butterflies may cross the county

As yet another academic scandal emerges at UCSD, court records show that the school is on the verge of cutting a deal with the University of Southern California, sued last summer by UCSD over the departure of Paul Aisen, who took UCSD's lucrative Alzheimer’s research program to the university's bitter Los Angeles rival.

Paul Aisen

As previously reported here, after flinging accusations of theft and dishonesty at each other for months, the two institutions agreed to sit down together January 4 at a so-called Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, conducted by federal magistrate judge Jill L. Burkhardt.

With the litigation threatening to expose more embarrassing lab laundry, pressure was reportedly growing on both sides to come up with some sort of accommodation, which, judging from a January 7 order by Burkhardt, is likely to soon be made public.

"The parties shall lodge with the Court a PDF document containing the terms of the agreement reached by the parties during the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, 1/8/2016,” says the instruction by Burkhardt.

Sponsored
Sponsored

In addition, Burkhardt's order says, a motion “containing the terms of the parties' agreement, as well as any other language the parties agree is necessary and appropriate for purposes of the stipulation" is to be filed in the case by the end of Monday, January 11.

The courthouse war of science broke out last July following Aisen's abrupt decampment to USC.

"May 22nd, Dr. Aisen told all the staff at the [Alzheimer's program] he's moving to USC and that they're going to lose their jobs," maintained UCSD's attorney, Dan Sharp.

"And on May 23rd, Dr. Mobley called Dr. Aisen into his office and said that was wrong to do and took away his computer access, because Dr. Mobley was concerned about Dr. Aisen stealing the data, and that's exactly what he did."

USC lawyers countered that its rival had “pressured Dr. Aisen to move [the Alzheimer’s program] to the UCSD campus so that UCSD could collect indirect costs of up to 55 percent, a move which would have crippled the program financially by diverting too much grant funding from research projects into UCSD’s Administration.”

Whether Monday's settlement is intended to mark a final end to the wrangling is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, UCSD has been confronted with other questions of ethics arising from the guilty plea made by former space physics research professor Homayoun Karimabadi to federal charges of grant fraud.

According to a January 7 news release by the U.S. Attorney's office here, Karimabadi and SciberQuest, Inc., a corporation he operated, received "$6.4 million under 22 separate grants or contracts. Of those, eight were Small Business Innovation Research grants with a value of about $1,760,000."

To obtain the federal support, which was provided by the Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation, the professor "made false statements to government officials," the release says.

"Specifically, in award proposals, Dr. Karimabadi failed to disclose all of his and SciberQuest’s current and pending grants or contracts, thereby overstating the time he and SciberQuest could devote to the projects he was applying to receive."

Additionally, "Dr. Karimabadi also falsely certified in [Small Business] award proposals submitted to NASA and USAF that he was primarily employed by SciberQuest. In truth, he was employed full-time at UCSD both at the time of the award submission and during the performance of the grant.”

According to the document, “Dr. Karimabadi and SciberQuest made these false statements to be awarded grants or contracts that they likely would not have received but for the deception. As a result, from 2005 to 2013, Dr. Karimabadi received over $1.9 million in salary from SciberQuest due, in part, to the fraudulently obtained grants or contracts."

NASA inspector general Paul Martin was quoted as saying, "Individuals who fraudulently obtain federal research funds earmarked for small businesses deprive others of an opportunity to pursue meaningful technological discoveries.”

Added U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy, "Dr. Karimabadi took advantage of his trusted positions at SciberQuest and UCSD to deceive government agencies into awarding federal grants or contracts."

She continued, "Federal research funding is an important stimulus to local economies, especially in San Diego, which has a large research university presence. Fraud in the award process threatens to undermine confidence in the continued federal funding of research and innovation.”

Sentencing for SciberQuest is set for March 18, with the firm and Karimabadi agreeing to forfeit $180,000.

In addition, the release says, Karimabadi will be in court January 15, 2016, "for further proceedings to enter a Deferred Prosecution Agreement for his role in the matter."

Explains the document, "A deferred prosecution agreement is an agreement between a criminal defendant and the United States Attorney’s Office wherein the defendant admits to the facts constituting a criminal offense, but the United States agrees to suspend the entry of judgment for a period of time and agrees to dismiss the charges if, during that period, the defendant complies with certain conditions set forth in the agreement."

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Nation’s sexy soldiers stage protest at Pendleton in wake of change in Marine uniform policy

Semper WHY?
Next Article

Top Websites To Buy Instagram Likes + Bonus Tip!

Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.