Ex-top NASA official charged in Mississippi

(AP) — A former high-ranking NASA official is being indicted on charges he steered a $600,000 contract to Mississippi State University.

Courtney A. Stadd has already been convicted of steering a different contract for almost $10 million to the university. The school was a client of his consulting firm. Stadd was sentenced in November to three years probation.

The 55-year-old Stadd was NASA chief of staff and White House liaison from 2001-2003.

U.S. Attorney Don Burkhalter said Monday that Stadd faces up to 55 years if convicted of the nine new charges, which include conspiracy and obstruction.

The contract was from NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for a study.

Burkhalter says Stadd has pleaded not guilty.