Summer Worden, the woman who falsely accused her then-wife, NASA astronaut Anne McClain, of committing the first crime in space, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal authorities. The 2019 accusation alleged that McClain illegally accessed Worden’s bank account while stationed on the International Space Station, sparking an investigation into what would have been an unprecedented extraterrestrial crime. However, the investigation revealed that Worden had, in fact, granted McClain access to the account years prior, debunking the claim of illicit access from space.
The guilty plea marks a significant turn in a case that initially raised complex legal questions about jurisdiction and culpability in outer space. Worden now faces potential penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for lying to law enforcement. The case highlights the serious consequences of making false accusations, particularly when they involve law enforcement and have the potential to impact an individual’s career and reputation, as well as divert resources from legitimate investigations.