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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Office of Inspector General
Washington, D.C. 20546

April 25, 2003

RELEASE 2003-034: NASA EMPLOYEE INDICTED FOR THEFT OF SHUTTLE 
DEBRIS

On April 23, 2003, Michael T. Pankiewickz of Port Orange, Florida,
was indicted for theft of government property, transporting stolen
goods across state lines, and making false statements.  Pankiewickz
allegedly stole space shuttle Columbia debris while in Texas working
on the recovery effort.

Pankiewickz, a NASA employee at the Kennedy Space Center, assisted in 
recovering space shuttle Columbia debris in East Texas.  Pankiewickz
is alleged to have removed shuttle debris without NASA's permission
and transported the debris to the Middle District of Florida.  In
addition, Pankiewickz allegedly made false statements to federal
agents in connection with the case.

Special Agents from the NASA Office of Inspector General conducted
the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A Citro
of the Middle District of Florida is handling the prosecution.

For more information on this release, please contact Joe Kroener, 
Acting Executive Officer, NASA Office of Inspector General, at
(202) 358-2558.

Previous Releases:  None.

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