Astronaut accessed spouse’s bank account in possible first criminal allegation from space

OUTER SPACE (WPIX/CNN) -- NASA is examining a claim that an astronaut improperly accessed the bank account of her estranged spouse from the International Space Station, The New York Times reported Friday — potentially the first criminal allegation from space.

NASA astronaut Anne McClain told investigators she had accessed the bank account of her spouse while on a six-month mission aboard the ISS in preparation for her role in NASA's anticipated first all-female spacewalk, the Times reported.

McClain's spouse, former Air Force intelligence officer Summer Worden, brought a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission that McClain had committed identity theft, despite not seeing any indication of moved or spent funds.

McClain's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, told the Times that “she strenuously denies that she did anything improper” and “is totally cooperating.”

He added that McClain was monitoring the account to ensure the well-being of Worden's son, who they had been raising, using the same password to access the account as she had throughout their relationship.

Investigators from the NASA watchdog office have been in touch with both women to address the accusations, the Times reported.

The couple had married in 2014, and Worden filed for divorce in 2018 after McClain accused her of assault — a move Worden contended was part of long-standing attempts by McClain to gain custody of her son. A few months later, McClain went to space, and Worden then discovered the bank account access, the paper reported. Worden denied committing assault and the case was later dismissed.

NASA officials told the Times that they did not know of any crimes that had been committed on the ISS.