SAN JOSE, California (AP) — A marine biologist who runs popular whale-watching tours on California's Monterey Bay has been indicted for violating federal laws that protect marine mammals.
The San Jose Mercury News reports ( ) Nancy Black was charged Wednesday in San Jose for the violations, including two alleging she fed a killer whale.
Black is also charged with lying to investigators about altering a 2005 video to hide what authorities say was illegal contact with a humpback whale in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Prosecutors say charges were filed after an investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Department of Justice.
Lawrence Biegel, Black's lawyer, says she had a research permit to study the whales and denies she fed them.
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Information from: San Jose Mercury News, http://www.sjmercury.com
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