The National Science Foundation declined to answer AP questions about why Bieneman was sent out into the field in a critical safety role while under investigation. The case raises further questions about decision-making in the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is already under scrutiny. Conway and the graduate students did not respond to AP requests for comment. In the complaint, Conway described Bieneman as initially being “domineering and critical” of the two female graduate students at the camp. He said the graduate students, fearing possible retaliation if they disclosed the story, felt they had to tiptoe around Bieneman.

---

Persons: Stephen Tyler Bieneman, Bieneman, ”, Birney Bervar, ” Marc Tunstall, icefield, Tyler, Howard Conway, Conway, ” Conway, Jennifer Farrar Organizations: The Associated Press, McMurdo, The National Science Foundation, U.S . Antarctic Program, AP, NSF, Prosecutors, Twin, University of Washington, Conway, Bieneman, Attorney's Locations: WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Antarctica, Honolulu, Allan, McMurdo, Bieneman, Hawaii, The U.S, New York