Embattled Smithsonian Official Resigns

The New York Times

By ELIZABETH OLSON
Published: March 27, 2007

WASHINGTON, March 26 — The governing board of the Smithsonian Institution announced Monday that it had accepted the resignation of its top official, Lawrence M. Small, after an internal audit showing that the museum complex had paid for his routine use of lavish perks like chauffeured cars, private jets, top-rated hotels and catered meals.

Mr. Small, 66, a former executive at Citibank and the mortgage financier Fannie Mae, had led the 161-year-old Smithsonian since January 2000. He submitted his resignation as secretary over the weekend, and the governing board unanimously accepted it, effective immediately. Mr. Small will not receive a severance package.

A Smithsonian spokeswoman, Linda St. Thomas, said that Mr. Small, who was traveling outside Washington on Monday, had declined all requests for interviews.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/arts/27museum.html