UI center under investigation

MOSCOW, Idaho – The state attorney general is investigating possible wrongdoing at a University of Idaho research center.

The investigation stems from a 2005 audit of the school’s Center for Advanced Microelectronics and Biomolecular Research, and was requested by Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas.

Potential problems at the lab were previously identified by a different prosecutor, Bill Thompson of Latah County, who said the school asked him to review the audit.

Thompson found evidence of possible theft, computer crimes, acceptance of rewards by state employees, and criminal nepotism. But the university was outside his jurisdiction.

Douglas learned of the situation about a month ago from UI employees, prompting him to ask Attorney General Lawrence Wasden for an investigation, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported.

“What resurrected it were these requests to me,” Douglas said. “It was not the UI, it was personnel and former personnel.”

School spokeswoman, Tania Thompson, declined to comment on the investigation in an e-mail.

“As a practice, the university does not comment on any potential, pending, current or ongoing criminal investigation,” she wrote.

The Post Falls center opened in 2002 and employs 20 workers who conduct research on special-purpose microelectronics, processors and circuits. Most of its money comes from federal agencies, including the Air Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and NASA.

The 2005 investigation began after two of the center’s employees – married couple Kenneth and Martha Hass – reported their concerns to UI’s internal auditor.

Kenneth Hass, a senior research engineer, and Martha Hass, an assistant lab manager, filed a lawsuit against the school in February. They claim the center’s director, Gary Maki, tried to defame Kenneth Hass and retaliated against the couple for participating in the audit.

Court records say the Hasses reported conflicts of interests between some of the center’s employees and two private businesses, one of them owned by Maki.

The lawsuit claims that Maki, after the audit, tried to have Martha Hass reprimanded and Kenneth Hass fired. The lawsuit also alleges that Maki tried to have Kenneth Hass’ participation in the audit labeled as “industrial espionage.”

Maki did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Saturday.

David Egolf, an electrical engineering professor at the university, said his concerns about possible wrongdoing at the center prompted him to contact the Idaho State Board of Education.

Egolf said university President Tim White did not respond to a letter Egolf wrote, citing pending litigation.

Board spokesman Mark Browning said the board is following the investigation.

“Nothing has been officially brought before the board yet,” he said. “We’ll continue to watch the University of Idaho and their work with it, and see where it goes when they bring it to us.”