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Audit shows S Korean scientist misused funds

A disgraced South Korean genetic scientist left accounting holes in his use of state funds, an audit board said in a report yesterday, adding the board would inform prosecutors who are looking into possible criminal fraud.

Prosecutors are investigating a team led by Hwang Woo-suk on suspicion of fraudulent use of state funds, which is punishable by up to 10 years in jail. Local media said the audit board's findings would play a key role in the prosecution probe.

Hwang's team intentionally fabricated data in two landmark studies on human embryonic stem cells, a Seoul National University investigation panel said last month. Hwang resigned from the university in December.

The papers -- a 2004 report on cloning human embryos for research and a report last year on producing tailored embryonic stem cells -- have been debunked. The US periodical Science which published them said they would be retracted.

The Board of Audit and Inspection passed no judgment on any criminal wrongdoing by any individuals but said in its report that a number of people had failed to act properly.

It said it would refer its findings from a three-week probe into Hwang's use of government and private funds to prosecutors, who are conducting a broad investigation into the scandal.

Through last year, Hwang received 30.9 billion won (US$31.8 million) in government funds for his research as well as 6 billion won from private donations, the board said.

Of those funds, the board said it is unclear where 2.5 billion won was spent.

Separately, Hwang was also found to have personally received an additional 3.4 billion won in private donations and it was unclear how that money was spent, the auditor said.

"The government and companies provided professor Hwang Woo-suk with a lot of research funds," the board said in a statement. "But professor Hwang didn't follow appropriate accounting procedures."

The board questioned Hwang late last month.

Hwang, once hailed as a national hero and pioneer in the field of embryonic stem cells -- which scientists hope will help treat diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes -- was found last month to have fabricated landmark papers, according to a Seoul National University investigation.

Hwang has accused colleagues of deceiving him about results of his team's experiments.
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