"Climategate" Report Released

UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY - Thursday afternoon Penn State released a 19 page report detailing its findings about Professor Michael Mann. The school charged five professors with looking further into academic misconduct allegations after part of an investigation earlier this year was found to be inconclusive. Critics have claimed Mann manipulated his research data to prove man-made global warming.

A panel of five academic colleagues found that Mann followed accepted standards when he proposed, conducted, and reported his research. Still, critics said the investigation itself did not live up to accepted standards.

After more than seven months, Penn State released a report saying it has answered questions surrounding the integrity of Earth Sciences Professor Michael Mann’s work.

“Professor Michael Mann has not been found guilty of any research misconduct, so from our perspective, yes, this issue has been closed,” Lisa Powers, Penn State Spokeswoman, said.

But critics like Matthew Brouillette of the Commonwealth Foundation are still calling for independent investigation

“The fact that you have an internal investigation rather than an independent one that would really go after the facts, and address the core issues at stake, that was not part of their purview,” Brouillette said.
 
Those issues for critics of Mann and the Penn State investigation are whether Dr. Mann manipulated data to show climate change. Powers said that has already been debunked.

“I don’t think we'll ever be able to satisfy everyone but we are satisfied with the process that we went through.”

Earlier this year, Brouillette called on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to investigate Mann’s research. Thursday’s findings don't change that.

“Penn State would like this to go away as quickly, and as fast, as possible. However those who are committed to academic integrity are going to demand that some of these answers are given for what has happened here.”
Dr. Mann told WTAJ News in a written statement, “I am pleased that the last phase of Penn State's investigation has now been concluded, and that it has cleared me of any wrongdoing. These latest findings should finally put to rest the baseless allegations against me and my research. I want to express my gratitude to the scientists and academics who conducted Penn State's investigation, which required them to review and analyze voluminous written materials and conduct multiple interviews. I am pleased that they and I can now return to our research without further distraction.”

To read the complete report, click here: http://live.psu.edu/fullimg/userpics/10026/Final_Investigation_Report.pdf