Anti-fraud officials are investigating one of the founders of a controversial science academy over allegations concerning financial irregularities in European research projects, Nature has learned. Staff at the European Anti-Fraud Office in Brussels have launched an investigation into allegations made against geophysicist Philip Carrion. The office, set up in 1999, has the power to investigate allegations of misuse of European Commission (EC) funds. Spokeswoman Inge-borg Gaspard, confirming that an investigation was ongoing, would not give details of the research involved. But Nature has identified three projects involving Carrion, all funded by the EC's Framework programme for research, in which disputes over finances have arisen and complaints been made to the commission. Carrion rejects all allegations of financial impropriety and says he welcomes the investigation as a chance to clear up the disputes.
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