Posted on 08/10/2004 9:27:12 AM PDT by Cooter
The presumed missing computer disks that forced the security shutdown and political uproar at Los Alamos National Lab, appear to not be missing at all.
KRQE News 13 has learned that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has concluded the disks, thought to have contained nuclear weapon secrets, were never missing.
In early July, lab officials announced that the disks were missing, prompting a massive and unprecedented security shutdown and consequent investigation. Nearly two dozen scientists and administrators were placed on leave and virtually all lab operations were suspended.
Now, sources tell KRQE News 13s Larry Barker that FBI investigators have concluded the disks in question, generally called 'Classified Removable Electronic Media' or C.R.E.M., were never missing and may have never existed in the first place
The clerical error appears to center around the bar codes used to track classified material. The bar code stickers that would have been found on the supposed missing disks were instead discovered still affixed to their original printed forms.
The FBI declined comment on this report and the lab says it will release the findings of its investigation when appropriate.
Much of the lab's classified work is still shut down pending the outcome of a Department of Energy review.
The shut down has called into question the University of Californias management of the facility, made longtime political supporters question lab practices and has cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
The clerical error appears to center around the bar codes used to track classified material. The bar code stickers that would have been found on the supposed missing disks were instead discovered still affixed to their original printed forms.
Either way, sounds like a bunch of incompetent clowns are overseeing our nuclear secrets.
bump
The Titanic never exsisted either!
I have to agree with Old Professer #18 here. This actually DOES sound like a simple inventory mess up. Anybody who has ever worked in this realm of life can appreciate how easy it is to do this. I am very relieved if this is the case... we've had enough theft of secrets.
God knows that I'm all in favor of UC being forced to give up their Los Alamos responsibility, but not over this particular situation. ... and, by the way, no matter what, I still believe that the LosAlamos scientist (wen ho le?) circa'97 DID result in compromise of major nuclear secrets.
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So what do you and Squantos have against Uncle Charley (UC)?
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