Hermosa Man Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining Award Money from the National Science Foundation

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Hermosa man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false claims in order to receive award money from the National Science Foundation.

Scott Thompson, age 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 17, 2011, for False Claims, False Document Submitted to a Department or Agency of the United States, Fraud by Wire, and Receiving Stolen Government Money. He appeared before US Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 27, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction of each count is five years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charges are merely accusations, and Thompson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the National Science Foundation. Assistant US Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. Thompson was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.