Space tourism probe: State may try to get grant money back
Orlando Sentinel
A key legislator said Wednesday that Florida could attempt to recover grant money given to a Panhandle orthopedic clinic to launch a “space tourism” center, even as the clinic announced the resignation of a former employee who shepherded the grant.
An official with the Andrews Institute confirmed that Brice Harris left the clinic on Tuesday — four days after state investigators concluded that he likely broke the law by helping set up “Project Odyssey” and then resigning his state job to serve as its $150,000-a-year director.
Sen. Mike Fasano, the Republican from New Port Richey who oversees economic development, said Wednesday he was told that Gov. Charlie Crist could try to recoup the taxpayer dollars if the state Ethics Commission concludes that Harris broke the law.
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