Former UM vice president of R&D Lloyd Chesnut under investigation in Texas

Lloyd Chesnut, a former University of Montana vice president, is being investigated for potential conflict of interest violations at the University of North Texas, and a formal complaint of tampering with government records and abuse of official capacity have been filed with the university’s police department.

Chesnut, 63, served six years as UM’s vice president for research and development before taking a similar title at the Texas school in 2003. Because of the allegations at UNT, the chairman of the Montana Board of Regents wants Chesnut’s work at UM scrutinized as well.

Chesnut asked for administrative leave July 27 and was escorted from his office by University of North Texas police, according to the Denton Record-Chronicle newspaper. He has not, however, been arrested or formally charged with any crimes.
On July 27, UNT President Norval Pohl informed Chesnut in a letter obtained by the Missoulian that he was "not to interfere with any investigations," "not to remove or destroy relevant documents or electronic information" and "not to attempt to influence witnesses."

"Additionally," Chesnut was told, "you are barred from the properties that comprise the North Texas System."

On Aug. 22, UNT police confiscated Chesnut’s campus computer equipment, including computer hard drives. On Aug. 23 Chesnut resigned as the university’s vice president for research technology transfer and relinquished his status as a tenured professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Chesnut did not return a Missoulian inquiry to discuss the matter Tuesday.

By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/08/31/news/local/news04.txt