Florida Professor and Wife Accused of Defrauding NASA

University of Florida professor Samim Anghaie, 59, and his wife, Sousan Anghaie, 55, have been accused of defrauding NASA and taking roughly $600,000 for personal use. The Iranian-born Anghaise is the Director of the Innovative Nuclear Space Power and Propulsion Institute at the University of Florida while his wife is president of New Era Technology Inc. (NETECH) in Gainesville, Fla.

The case against the couple focuses on Anghaie’s role in persuading NASA to award his wife’s company various contracts to develop and study a uranium-related technology. The prosecutors claim that the money was used for less radioactive products like a $480,000 home in Gainesville, a 2007 BMW and a 2005 Toyota Sienna sports van as well as houses and cars for their sons and family.

Notably, Sousan Anghaie listed her son and brother-in-law as two of three staffers receiving $350,000 when they received no such payment.

Charges have not been formally filed but are expected.

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