Former Los Alamos National Laboratory worker accused of trying to take gold
By APFriday, October 9, 2009
Former Los Alamos lab worker accused of theft
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — A federal grand jury has indicted a former Los Alamos National Laboratory worker on two charges after he was accused of trying to take radioactive-tainted gold worth $2,000 from the lab.
Alex Maestas was indicted on charges of receiving or stealing the gold and taking nuclear material. He is to be arraigned Oct. 22.
Authorities allege Maestas, who worked at the lab’s plutonium-processing facility, tried to carry out gold shavings in a plastic sandwich bag hidden in his fist. Lab officials say the gold was contaminated by a small amount of radioactive material.
Lab spokesman Jeff Berger said Friday the gold was detected because of the radioactivity and the employee was stopped trying to leave the work area March 24. He says there was no radioactive exposure.
