Criminal probe adds to Texas cancer agency woes

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas put up $3 billion in taxpayer money and promised cancer breakthroughs. But a criminal investigation, widespread rebuke from scientists and the resignations of embattled state officials came faster than any medical discoveries.

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas launched in 2009, flaunting the second-biggest trough of cancer research dollars in the country. But the state agency is in turmoil after revealing that an $11 million grant to a private company bypassed an independent review.

It's the latest blunder in a year of troubles for the agency, which vowed to wage an unprecedented state-run fight against cancer.

Prosecutors in Texas have opened two cases into the agency's operations, but have made no specific criminal allegations.

The federal National Cancer Institute says it's also evaluating the ongoing problems.