Penn State University officials have cleared climate researcher Michael Mann of concealing information, falsifying data and misusing confidential information, following an investigation into the unauthorized release of more than 1,000 private emails that brought into question current global warming science.
However, the panel was not able to reach a conclusion on whether Mann’s research activities "seriously deviated from accepted practices within the academic community," according to the Los Angeles Times. Authorities at the university have put together a new committee of five science professors to review the allegations and report their findings within the next four months.
"Even though no evidence to substantiate the fourth allegation was found, the university administrators thought it best to convene a separate committee of distinguished scientists to resolve any remaining questions about academic procedures," said Mann.
"I fully support the additional inquiry, which may be the best way to remove any lingering doubts," he added.
Meanwhile, Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) the top Republican on the House investigations committee, said that the university’s continued investigation calls into question Mann’s credibility as a global warming expert, The Washington Times reports. Issa has asked President Obama to freeze the professor’s $541,184 stimulus grant supplied by the National Science Foundation.