Smithsonian head spent mucho bucks on his house and office while the museums were starving for funds....
Here is a link to the story: (you'll need to have registered with the wa post to read more...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/19/AR2007031901839.htmlFormer IG Says Small Asked Her To Drop Audit
Smithsonian Secretary's Expenses Questioned in Senate
By James V. Grimaldi and Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, March 20, 2007; Page C01
The former Smithsonian inspector general who launched an audit of high-ranking officials and their business practices said yesterday that Secretary Lawrence M. Small tried to pressure her to drop the inquiry shortly after she announced it last year.
Debra S. Ritt said Small called her before the audit was widened to include his own compensation, but she still found it highly inappropriate. Ritt reported to Small at the time.
Ritt resigned in June about a week after broadening the audit -- originally a review of Smithsonian Business Ventures accounting and executive compensation -- to include Small's compensation, which is $915,698 this year. Ritt said in interviews Saturday and yesterday that Small called her to urge investigations of the Smithsonian's construction spending instead of the business unit.
"He called me to tell me he didn't want me to do the audit, that the audit wasn't needed," Ritt said. "He felt the inspector general's office was being manipulated by a few disgruntled employees."
Main story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/24/AR2007022401510.htmlSmithsonian Head's Expenses 'Lavish,' Audit Says
Board Calls Small's Charges 'Reasonable'
By James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 25, 2007; Page A01
Lawrence M. Small, the top official at the Smithsonian Institution, accumulated nearly $90,000 in unauthorized expenses from 2000 to 2005, including charges for chartered jet travel, his wife's trip to Cambodia, hotel rooms, luxury car service, catered staff meals and expensive gifts, according to confidential findings by the Smithsonian inspector general.
"Many transactions were not properly documented or were not in accordance with Smithsonian policies," acting Inspector General A. Sprightley Ryan wrote on Jan. 16 to the Smithsonian Board of Regents Audit and Review Committee. "Some transactions might be considered lavish or extravagant."
Small, who in 2000 became the 11th Smithsonian secretary, will earn $915,698 this year in total compensation -- more than that of the outgoing president of Harvard University, which has an endowment about 30 times the size of the Smithsonian's. Over the past seven years, Small has also received $1.15 million for making his house available for official functions.
Small declined an interview. "Mr. Small is not going to talk about his own compensation," said Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas. "The regents determine all secretaries' compensation."
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
