Smithsonian Head Quits Amid Spending Furor

(CBS/AP)  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.

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Read: The Smithsonian Acting Inspector General's report

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Read: An Independent Accountant's Report

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Read: The Smithsonian Board of Regents' response to charges

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Chief Justice John Roberts, who serves as chancellor of the Smithsonian, also offered praise for Small.

"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.

[lizardbate]

This guy has "balls". I guess there will no spring makeover of his mansion this year. The pool boy will be unemployed. Another arrogant blank - blank- in Washington, Surprise - Surprise! I would like him be sent a bill for the million dollars spent.

[bobis3-2009]

alphaa, you've made good points directed to my comment. I stand enlightened and in agreement..........b3

[alphaa10-2009]

bobis3 said, "If this guy is responsible for bringing in a billion dollars to the institution. He and all his relatives should be treated like royalty... The man should be honored not persecuted..."
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The issue is accountability to the American people and transparency with the public trust. The rationale that nothing matters but money is Bush-thinking, responsible for all sorts of Halliburton-style excess.

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Excuse us, Mr. Small, but as you retire to your lavish mansion paid for many times over with vital Smithsonian funds desperately needed elsewhere, would it be possible to recover the money-- if you please, sir-- on behalf of the American people?

Is it too much to ask, Mr. Small, that you recognize the damage you have done by doing your utmost to make restitution?

[bobnjersey]

[The Smithsonian is a private institution, under control of Congress. George Bush-haters can back off-the president has nothing to do with the operation (nor does Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, Halliburton,the Illuminati or the Masons).]

yes ... you are correct my fine 'bush-appologist'. the way you can really tell that his connections to the bush admin are non-existant is that he actually MADE money instead of just spending it.

if the gang that couldn't shoot straight had actually been involved they would have removed anything from the museum of natural history that was older than 10,000 years and described the big bang as the celebration following the end of combat operations in one of their imperialistic ventures.

[nothappyatall]

"Among the hundreds of items Small billed to the Smithsonian ... $12,187 for pool service; $10,018 to replace three doors; $17,458 for "spring repairs.""

GOODBYE Mr Small, the leaky roof and other repairs you couldn't afford to do on the buildings shows your priorities were up your arse like Enron executives and their $12,000 waste paper baskets and $5,000 shower curtains.

[puzzler125]

What does the UN have to do with this? What most people fail to realize about the high salaries that CEOs and other large corporations is that you pay for what you get. If you are offering a lousy salary, at any level, you will get a lousy employee. I do think the many business heads are seriously overpaid, there needs to be accountability too, but a salary commensurate with one's qualifications is mandatory. (BUT it is very hard to decide just what is a realistic salary and who should decide?)

[bellal-2009]

Wait a minute. Doesn't he have to pay back all the money he's embezzled and doesn't he have to pay penalties and fines to the IRS. I'd like to see the guy in jail.

[ramos937]

I give Bush and company a bye on this affair. But, I cannot do so with the Board. They were well aware of what Small was doing and made no effort to correct the situation. In truth, the entire board should be replaced for not doing their duties.

[monkfellow]

The Smithsonian is a private institution, under control of Congress. George Bush-haters can back off-the president has nothing to do with the operation (nor does Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, Halliburton,the Illuminati or the Masons).

[bobis3-2009]

I'm not sure if the commentors here understand what a billion dollars is. If this guy is responsible for bringing in a billion dollars to the institution. He and all his relatives should be treated like royalty. If he was given a bonus of one percent of the money he brought in it would amount to 10 million. If he were to receive 10 percent bonus fee for his efforts over the past seven years it would be 100,000,000.00. Does anyone have any idea how much talent and pure juice it takes to create a billion dollars for an institution. He spends a million bucks on his home and charges it to the Smithsonian. Who cares, in a just world he would be given that every month for the seven years..............The man should be honored not persecuted.