One of the nation’s largest health centers geared towards gay health is investigating allegations that staff members mishandled Federal funding, theAssociated Press is reporting. 

The funding, up to $4 million per year from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is given to Chicago's Howard Brown Health Center for use during a landmark HIV/AIDS study. NIH research has contributed to improved management, diagnosis and treatment of HIV. 

Dr. David Ostrow, co-founder of Howard Brown said, "It's a great blow to the prestige of the clinic." Ostrow was told that staff might have used the money to cover patient care costs instead of research.  There is no evidence of any staff members using the funds for personal gain. 

In a press release put out by Howard Brown, the center said the money might have been funneled to clinic services that were unrelated to the study, which isn't allowed under the NIH grant's rules.

The investigation is ongoing. 

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