UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY - Critics of Penn State Professor Michael Mann believe more than 1,000 hacked e-mails discussing climate research prove he, along with several other scientists in the climate change field, doctored data. They have said that this could be the smoking gun the ends the global warming debate once and for all. These same critics also believe Penn State's investigation into Mann’s actions is conflict of interest, and some outside eyes need to look at the data in question here.

In November, a server containing the e-mails between climate researchers was hacked at a university in England. Some of those were written Dr. Mann. Former CIA agent Kent Clizbe is one of the many number of folks across the world who believe they show recent global warming research is nothing but smoke and mirrors.

“When you look at those e-mails, you see a very strong pattern of, you see behind what was before the public stiff arm of denying,” Clizbe said.

Penn State, feeling both external and internal pressure, launched an inquiry into four allegations against Mann.

“When you look at the committee that's been charged with investigating Mr. Mann, you see a huge potential for conflict of interest. You'd hope they can do a fair and balanced review, (but) I don't think I could if I was in their shoes,” Clizbe told WTAJ.

Here is what the committee found; Mann did not falsify data about climate change. They also determined he did not destroy e-mails or misuse privileged information. But, they said claims that he discredited the science of climate change need additional investigation, and that too will be done internally at Penn State.

“I think it would be unfortunate, for other groups which potentially have their own vested interests to try to exert pressure on this process, Penn State has no vested interest,” Dr. Mann said.

Some critics in Happy Valley disagree. They believe PSU has a huge stake in the outcome of the investigation: money.

“We are the ninth ranked university in the country in terms of government research and development grants, if there's any doubt in they eyes of the government that Penn State cannot be trusted to maintain a standard among its faculty, and cannot be trusted to conduct a thorough investigation of its faculty, I think we're likely to see our grants suffer,” Samuel Settle, Chairman of PSU Young Americans for Freedom, said.

Critics think regardless of what the committee determined, there still needs to be an outside independent review. Mann, however, believes it could not be fair.

“They're looking to undermine the public's faith in the science because of frankly the interests they may have in the policies that might follow from the science not being enacted,” Mann said.

A second committee of five Penn State professors has 120 days to determine if Mann undermined the public's faith in climate change science. Currently there are no plans for any additional outside reviews of Mann’s research practices, but critics say they are not willing to simply accept the new committee's verdict. Clizbe, for example, is looking for a whistle blower in the research lab to contact him with inside information.