Scientist who reported drowned polar bears reprimanded

JUNEAU, Alaska – An Alaska scientist whose observations of drowned polar bears helped galvanize the global warming movement has been reprimanded for improper release of government documents.

An Interior Department official says emails released by Charles Monnett were cited by a federal appeals court in decisions to vacate approval of an oil company's Arctic exploration plan.

The official, Walter Cruickshank, says in a memo that an inspector general's investigation contained findings that Monnett had improperly disclosed internal government documents. He also says the investigation made other findings in regards to Monnett's conduct but that he wasn't taking action on those.

Monnett was briefly suspended last year during an inspector general's investigation into a polar bear research contract he managed.