Smithsonian Head Quits Amid Spending Furor
The Smithsonian Institution announced Monday that its top official, Secretary Lawrence M. Small, has resigned amid criticism about his expenses.
Small resigned over the weekend, and the decision was unanimously accepted Sunday by the Smithsonian's Board of Regents.
Cristian Samper, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, has been appointed acting secretary while the regents conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
An internal audit by the Smithsonian's inspector general in January found that Small had made $90,000 in unauthorized expenses, including private jet travel and expensive gifts.
The audit also found that Small charged the Smithsonian more than $1.1 million for use of his home since 2000. Among the hundreds of items billed to the Smithsonian, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson: $12,187 for pool service; $10,018 to replace three doors; $17,458 for "spring repairs"; and $273,000 to keep it all sparkling.
While Smithsonian museums awaited funds for basic repairs, Small used $300,000 to redecorate his office, and spent a small fortune on maids and home improvements.
The inspector general called his spending "lavish and extravagant," though the museums also did well by Small, who was a very effective fundraiser.
But longtime donors to the Smithsonian, like the Rosenaks of Florida, say Small shattered everyone's trust.
"We were very upset. We know he's a good fundraiser, but we had no idea that he was charging for his home and all of this," Jan Rosenak told Attkisson.
The final straw came when the Senate voted to freeze the Smithsonian's $17 million budget increase last week — making it clear that they were unwilling to use more tax dollars to support what they called Small's "champagne lifestyle".
Small was to earn $915,698 this year in total compensation — more than double what he earned during his first year as secretary in 2000.
"I think (Small) was really concerned about the possibility of the institution being changed fundamentally" in regard to the Senate's vote to withhold money, said Roger Sant, chairman of the Smithsonian board's executive committee. "It would be hard to ignore something like that."
Samper, a Harvard University-trained biologist who joined the Smithsonian in 2001 as acting director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, said in a statement: "My priority in the coming months will be to strengthen the public trust in the Smithsonian Institution and ensure that our priority projects and activities continue on track."
Sant praised Small's seven years as secretary, saying he raised $1 billion for the institution, which Sant said was a record.
Chief Justice John Roberts, who serves as chancellor of the Smithsonian, also offered praise for Small.
Read: The Smithsonian Acting Inspector General's report
Read: An Independent Accountant's Report
Read: The Smithsonian Board of Regents' response to charges
"The Board recognizes that the Smithsonian Institution has benefited greatly from your leadership and dedication," he said in a letter to Small, accepting his resignation.
Small is not entitled to a severance package because he left voluntarily.