After Bodkin filed charges of scientificmisconduct with HMS, an HMS panel spent nearlynine months on its inquiry, which eventuallyexonerated Arbini.

In February, the Department of Veterans'Affairs also launched an investigation in responseto letters form Bodkin's representative, BarneyFrank '61 (D-Mass.), and the non-profit governmentwatch-dog group, the Project on GovernmentOversight (PGO).

In a letter to John Feussner, chief researchand development officer for the VA headquarters,Frank wrote "it is my impression that Ms. Bodkinand Ms. [Danielle] Brain [executive director ofthe PGO] make a persuasive case that theDepartment ought to conduct an investigation intothe project in question."

According to the letter, Brian met withAssociate Vice President for Government, Communityand Public Affairs Jane H. Corlette about thecase. "She related to me that as Harvard did notmake a finding of misconduct, the University wasunable to discuss the case with us. She encouragedme to bring our concerns to the Department ofVeterans' Affairs," the letter said.

Bodkin said the VA investigation determinedthat there was no scientific misconduct.

She said she and the PGO intend to continue topursue the allegations.

She has been working with Senator John Kerry'soffice but said `it's not clear that they willcontinue to support the case.