Red Cross President Ousted Over Affair

Mark Everson Loses Top Job For "Personal Relationship" With Subordinate Employee

(AP)  The American Red Cross ousted its president, Mark Everson, on Tuesday after learning he had engaged in a "personal relationship" with a subordinate employee.

Everson, the former commissioner of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, took the Red Cross job last May as the charity sought to restructure itself after sharp criticism of its response to Hurricane Katrina.

In a statement, the Red Cross said its board of governors asked for and received Everson's resignation, effective immediately, after learning within the past two weeks of the relationship with a woman on the Red Cross staff. The woman was not identified.

"The board acted quickly after learning that Mr. Everson engaged in a personal relationship with a subordinate employee," the statement said. "It concluded that the situation reflected poor judgment on Mr. Everson's part and diminished his ability to lead the organization in the future."

The Red Cross also released a statement from Everson, who is married and has two children.

"I am resigning for personal and family reasons, and deeply regret it is impossible for me to continue a job so recently undertaken," he said. "I leave with extraordinary admiration for the American Red Cross."

The charity's board appointed Mary S. Elcano, its general counsel for the past five years, as interim president and CEO. Elcano's past experience includes a stint as executive vice president of human resources with the U.S. Postal Service.

"Although this is difficult and disappointing news for the Red Cross community, the organization remains strong and the lifesaving mission and work of the American Red Cross will go forward," said the board's chair, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.

She said a search committee has been formed to seek a new leader.

The development was a blow to the Red Cross as it was making progress in overcoming image problems arising from its response to Katrina and the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Addressing complaints that it was at times too bureaucratic and unaccountable, the charity overhauled its disaster-response system and the way it governs itself, and it was praised for its role during the recent Southern California wildfires.

"This does not reflect on the organization," Red Cross spokeswoman Suzy DeFrancis said of Everson's ouster. "People felt we were moving forward."

Everson's departure continues a trend of rapid turnover atop the Red Cross. The two women who preceded him as president both resigned amid friction with the board of governors — Bernadette Healy after the Sept. 11 attacks and Marsha Evans in 2005, after Katrina. An interim president, Jack McGuire, served between Evan's departure and Everson's appointment.

When he took the Red Cross job, Everson embraced it after four years running the Internal Revenue Service.

"My 18-year-old daughter said, 'People will like you now,"' Everson remarked during an interview in July with The Associated Press.

[jennmarie620]

I''m sorry, but when two employees of an organization get involved in a "personal relationship" I find it an injustice to terminate the employment of one or both of them. The first thing that should be done and to investigate their job performances both before and after the relationship began and judge of said relationship affected their work in any negative way. If it''s determined that Everson showed favoritism towards this person (raises, promotions for no work-related reason, for example) THEN and only then should he be asked to resign. But if his work, or the work of this other person, has not changed negatively or had any negative effects on anyone around them then I see no harm in a relationship being had outside of work. It IS possible for people to leave personal feelings and relationships out of the office when they work with the person they''re involved with. Society is too quick to judge and jump to conclusions without looking at facts first.

[drivelphobe]

There are no rules regarding affairs of the heart. He must have been smitten for the first time in his life. He''s a lucky man.

[dogsoul]

"Society is too quick to judge and jump to conclusions without looking at facts first"

Doesn''t have ANYthing to do with that... Red Cross is a deep pockets organization & the subordinate is a woman - and thaaaaat means if they DON''T fire the man who is the boss, the Red Cross is subject to liability - regardless of what''s right of wrong... heck, they may STILL end up getting sued - AND losing... this is why many big companies have a stated policy about dating subordinates period.

Now this guy KNOWS this so he took his chances & lost but when it all comes down to it, it''s a lawyer thing...

[Krazcarl]

In this day in age is this a big deal happens all the time

[jetlizhan]

good Lord! is everybody either an abuser, adulterer or murderer? i may have to quit reading the news for a while. please, there must be some refreshingly good and happy news out there!

[tyjohn47]

All office philanderers be on alert!! If this becomes a pattern, there is going to be a lot of turnover (no pun intended) in the American workplace, let me tell ya!!

Fired for horsing around with somebody in the office? Huh. Used to be justice was dealt out by the spouse(s) of the philandering party and/or parties.

[Krazcarl]

fuzzybrar your an ignorant troll

[annd2302]

Workplace, a little ***, no problem, just a little fun. More power to the male in the workforce.

[vcharette1]

Remember when Elizabeth Dole took the job and the big hoo-ha over that? The top job then paid $400,000. What a rip-off for a charity to pay an officer that much. I''d rather give to individual charities or to Oprah''s.
As far as this person, who cares if he and a subordinate were having a fling - if it''s consensual, big deal! With his background he''ll probably fall on his feet and the pay he gets for his new job will make the Red Cross pay seem like chump change.

[dollbaby426]

Was Mr. Everson ( so-called- happily) married? If not, it is really that big of a deal, I''m just asking. I need more details on this to make a judgement call.

People have been fooling around on jobs for a long long time, correct?

I''m not saying this is appropriate behavior or not, but.......Geeezzz

[house015]

I have to agree with the poster that said the firing is a legal issue, not a moral one. I would have preferred a suspension until it was decided whether any coercion or favoritism occurred, but maybe I''m being too practical. Also, I hope another poster did not compare teacher''s compensation with lawyers'', due to the "caring=cost" equation, because I''m married to a teacher and Hoo-Boy, THAT''S incorrect.

[georgew1956]

they won''t give her name Women must be running the red cross to not let the press leak that out. women are wanting to rule the world. come on girls lets see a name behind this so called sexem up story. his face doesn''t show it was worth it. she must have been a trip and fall in kick in the gut ugly for them to hide this one.

[carlad1958]

I do not give to the Red Cross since Katrina when they turned themselves into a political rather than a charitable organization by turning down the million dollars The Dixie Chicks tried to donate. Not surprising they are rotting from the inside now.

[gunnerv1]

Just had to sample that "Strange" and got cought.

[johber]

Sorry this had to happen. But things do happen. Since we''re on the subject of the Red Cross. I have something to do with Amateur/Ham radio.. Did I hear/see that the Red Cross wants their agency to conduct background checks on volunteers ?? The American Radio Relay League (ham radio group) out of Newington, Ct., is in disagreement with the Red Cross on their background check issues. Any comments ?? I can see both sides of the story. The main thing that turns me off or irks me on the background check issue.. Is that the Red Cross will not accept anyone else''s background check.. Even if we''ve been doing public Service for years.. Some of us have background checks done by Federal, State, or County agencies.. But NO DICE on that from the Red Cross. They gotta do their own.. Why ?? What has happened ?? What brought this about ?? And why are they so firm on their own background checks ?? This probably does not have any relation to what has happend or what this posting is about.. Any comments ??

[marcodele]

Another compassionate conservative christian neocon bites the dust in a storm of hypocrisy.

[netadmin1-2009]

johber

if you have had one background check and it came up clear - doesn''t hurt for them to do another does it? i mean - not a big deal - right?

[SamThornton]

Interesting fact I didn''t know before Googling around. The ARC Board of Directors is appointed by the sitting U.S. President. Appropriately, President Bush announced his appointments to the ARC Board on April 1, 2005. They include Michael Chertoff and Condoleezza Rice. The Board selects the ARC CEO. Small wonder they selected a fellow Neoconservative for the post last time around. Perhaps this might be a good time to reward Alberto Gonzalez for his service. Half a million a year ain''t no chump change.

[sissy_8]

I think what drowns these appointments in their own petard is what has happened consistently with all these political appointments throghout this administration. They set the bar so high for so called moral, uprighteous, Christian, family values that when incompetance, lack of judgment, corruption befalls them, they fall harder.

How many more months do we have until election?

[starleo146]

Interesting fact I didn''''t know before Googling around. The ARC Board of Directors is appointed by the sitting U.S. President. Appropriately, President Bush announced his appointments to the ARC Board on April 1, 2005. They include Michael Chertoff and Condoleezza Rice. The Board selects the ARC CEO. Small wonder they selected a fellow Neoconservative for the post last time around. Perhaps this might be a good time to reward Alberto Gonzalez for his service. Half a million a year ain''''t no chump change.

Posted by omahapundit at 04:20 PM : Nov 27, 2007

Carlad1958 here is your answer another organization I think has had its share of bad dealings and You are right I refuse to give to the Red Cross they just do not allocate the money the way we think it is going it is salvation army for me

[starleo146]

Another compassionate conservative christian neocon bites the dust in a storm of hypocrisy.

Posted by marcodele at 04:03 PM : Nov 27, 2007


Can you believe this Marcodele the whole debockle to control it all justice dept supreme court now I find there on the board of the Red Cross along with condoleeza and Chertoff Good golly Miss Molly what else do they have there finger in the pie in.

[hissteps4u]

Johber it makes no difference every agency has its own set of rules and regulations it follows, that includes Background checks and hiring practices. It does not matter that someone has had one done by a different agency at some point before. Things change and it is a requirement and a good one at that.

[starleo146]

Sorry this had to happen. But things do happen. Since we''''re on the subject of the Red Cross. I have something to do with Amateur/Ham radio.. Did I hear/see that the Red Cross wants their agency to conduct background checks on volunteers ?? The American Radio Relay League (ham radio group) out of Newington, Ct., is in disagreement with the Red Cross on their background check issues. Any comments ?? I can see both sides of the story. The main thing that turns me off or irks me on the background check issue.. Is that the Red Cross will not accept anyone else''''s background check.. Even if we''''ve been doing public Service for years.. Some of us have background checks done by Federal, State, or County agencies.. But NO DICE on that from the Red Cross. They gotta do their own.. Why ?? What has happened ?? What brought this about ?? And why are they so firm on their own background checks ?? This probably does not have any relation to what has happend or what this posting is about.. Any comments ??

Posted by johber at 04:03 PM : Nov 27, 2007

Jobber you asked some good questions I am not sure I can answer all but the background checks may have something that the President Condoleeza and Chertoff are all on the board and Homeland Security and they are requiring it.I do not give to the red cross any more since Katrina and I do not think they handle the money properly I give to the Salvation Army I hope Bush an his cronies do not take that over.

[excoachken]

Typical Republican behavior- we have all seen them in action--------- it''s only impeachable if a Dem does it-----------so what''s the news in this story?

[starleo146]

Sorry this had to happen. But things do happen. Since we''''re on the subject of the Red Cross. I have something to do with Amateur/Ham radio.. Did I hear/see that the Red Cross wants their agency to conduct background checks on volunteers ?? The American Radio Relay League (ham radio group) out of Newington, Ct., is in disagreement with the Red Cross on their background check issues. Any comments ?? I can see both sides of the story. The main thing that turns me off or irks me on the background check issue.. Is that the Red Cross will not accept anyone else''''s background check.. Even if we''''ve been doing public Service for years.. Some of us have background checks done by Federal, State, or County agencies.. But NO DICE on that from the Red Cross. They gotta do their own.. Why ?? What has happened ?? What brought this about ?? And why are they so firm on their own background checks ?? This probably does not have any relation to what has happend or what this posting is about.. Any comments ??

Posted by johber at 04:03 PM : Nov 27, 2007

You forgot all these toe tappers and pedifilers

[starleo146]

Did all this happen because of wiretapping, since Bush is the head and Chertoff and Rice on the board I bet they had a wiretap on them.

[beehive21-2009]

Seems the pres, was doing his own background check.

[starleo146]

good Lord! is everybody either an abuser, adulterer or murderer? i may have to quit reading the news for a while. please, there must be some refreshingly good and happy news out there!

Posted by jetlizhan at 03:03 PM : Nov 27, 2007
+ report abus

Sorry jobber I meant to answer jetlizhan you forgot toe tappers

[Krazcarl]

what a bunch of rambling if we had a shot a desireable boss we would take it in a New York minute do you know anyone that wouldn''t

[sharncedar]

His picture makes mne sick. Looks like some upper management guys where I work. The same selfish, vacant, evil look. This creature is worthy of nothing but swift disposal. A thief who stole $500,000 per year from the Red Cross, and this crime of his against his workplace and his employees is only the tip of the iceberg, he is in so deep with every kind of betrayals and evil. Just a waste of food, a waste of speace, nothing to redeem, use his carcass for fertilizer maybe we can feed some of the victims of Katrina.

[michellem99-2009]

Yer paid to do yer job. Not act like a sexx pot. That means both gensers.The ham radio poster is doing a better job than Red Cross can. They are full of problems. My Dad would say'' It sounds like a personal problem to me''. That Dad. He said very fews words but he is right.

[sensual50]

IAM ALWAYS SURPRISE WHAT SEEMS TO BE MOST IMPORANT TO US.DID THIS AFFAIR CAUSE HIM TO DO A BAD JOB??? I QUESS SHE WASNT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO PRINT HER NAME AND FACE..I COULD GIVE A RAT''S *** WHO HE SLEEPS WITH!!!! LONG AS IT DOESNT INTERFER WITH THE WAY HE DOES HIS JOB. HIS FAMILY NOW PAYS FOR HIS MISTAKE??? WOW!!! DOES THAT MAKE US EVEN MORE HAPPY? THATS WHY THIS WORLD IS GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET.KNOW ONE KNOWS WHAT''S IMPORTANT ANYMORE.THATS HIS LIFE HE''S JUST MESSED UP. IF EVERY PERSON WHO HELD A POSTION OF IMPORTANTS WERE LET GO OR RESIGNED,FOR HAVING A AFFAIR WITH SOMEONE ON THE JOB. WHO WOULD BE LEFT??..HE''S HUMAN, WHAT DO HUMANS DO, MAKE MISTAKES??..HE''S NOT JESUS..C.C IN HOUSTON TX...

[gordon.couger]

According to memos I saw during Katrena it was the city that wouldn''t let the Red Cross leave food or bedding in town but insisted it be taken out of town and brought back in.

These were on day 0, 1, 2 and 3 of the storm they weren''t fixed up after the fact.

All disasters are local and a local problem. Local people are the ones that solve the problem. The Red Cross, FEMA and all the rest are set up to help local leaders.

When local leaders fail it takes time for some one to realize the problem, get someone there to solve it and finally solve it.

[jetranger7]

Well Get this, to get that Job I guarantee you, you''ll have to have some sort of a 4 year College Degree, Not likely to hire anybody with common sense off the street. So, my comment, would be it seems that if you have College or went to an INY League University, it appears you think your entitled to do anything you want, as you like, without consequences, and Ohh Ya,, I need Big Bucks to do this job , plus outrageous benefits and a buyout package too !!! Believe its time to start hiring High school drop outs, least they''ll try harder at their jobs than these overglorified college jerks, who think the world owes them !!!!!

[scottyusa]

If he is doing such a good job why didn''t they just confront the two of them in private and taken care of this discreetly? Why make a national issue out of this? This just twists the knife in the family''s back. I can''t see firing the guy over this unless they were fiddling around during working hours.

[fitedafuture]

just look at his face..

[dogsoul]

...ya know, you simply can''t avoid the Clinton comparisons when you see this sort of thing. And while, sure - plenty of Republicans have done the same thing... when conservatives get CAUGHT - it''s usually liberals who are leading the charge to bury them... especially the likes of the Nat''l Organization for Women. And their fellow Republicans usually sit by & let em hang by their own rope... But what''s funny is that when it was CLINTON caught for doing this - did the N.O.W. & the rest of the liberals clan, or even most of the Democratic leadership look to hang him out to dry??? Nope - they talked about ''Private Matters'' and ''Consenting Adults'' and ''JFK did it too''... even as they fought tooth & nail to destroy any Republican or businessman who had done the same thing... but I WILL say that after Clinton, the N.O.W. lost most of its credibility, especially in these matters - and liberals HAVE toned it down juuuust a bit... I mean, they still applaud McGreevy & villify Mr. Toe Tapper - but hey, they''re liberals... whadduya expect...

[preacherbob1]

The mental and moral caliber of readers of this news article are either having a ball putting other readers on, or they are examples of the semi-moronic, angry, selfish majority who are impressed by their self importance.

Please CBS, give the rational among us a break. Maybe we show read the BBC and return to a semblance of sanity.

REH

[guysdigdirt]

Some say he can do as he wishes on his own time, as long as he does the job he is hired to do. But if his commitment to his family- the most important and critical committment he will ever make- means that little to him, then what other commitments will he break? Do you really want a man with that little morals, ethics, background, honesty to run an organization, or even just manage your cheking account?

On the other hand eveyone makes mistakes, so how do we account for that and still make sure we are not abused again?

[guysdigdirt]

Please CBS, give the rational among us a break. Maybe we show read the BBC and return to a semblance of sanity.
Posted by preacherbob1

No one is making you come down to the gutter her bobby. If you do not like the fact that you are here too and are no better than anyone else, leave. It will not make you better than anyone else but we will not have to listen to your self-righteous richard cranium babble in the meantime.

[nameregister]

Cant get away with that unless you are President of these United States.

[starleo146]

dogsoul at 06:03 PM : Nov 27, 2007
+ report a

It wasn''t the liberals who let him go the liberals went through he11 when Clinton got caught which I think was nobody''s business as this is no body''s business what the democrats are commenting on more than any thing is that the board is appointed by Bush and Rice and Chertoff are appointed on that board by the President.I personally think the policy formed by Red Cross should be followed I do not know that policy

[michellem99-2009]

I do read the BBC and post there. To tell that poser to move if the lad/lass don''t like it here well well yer think that person is to go. There are American our roots came from the UK.
That man knew better as did the woman. There is proper work chothes for each gender. The women need to cover up and they know what I mean. They know what they are doing.

[nameregister]

This is all the Libs fault. Nobody used to care until feminists (Libs) staring hiring lawyers and suing their companies.

[keithle1]

Boy was just trying to get hisself some. What''s the big deal? Wifey obviously asn''t keeping him happy. She thinks twice a year is more than enough.

Men should be punished for being heterosexual?

[missingamerica]

Well, duh. Everson worked for this Administration.

Having that on your resume means you met the qualifications that this Administration demands - one of which the constant flow of media reports should have made clear is that you must be lower than the belly of a snake.

[michellem99-2009]

I will tell yer what is wrong with men. They are over sexxed. Men need to stop and think there is a time and place for every thing. The fact men are alway in heat and want to breed. They don''t can''t care if the girl ends with a baby he won''t support.

[rushlimpdrug]

Oh come on, let the guy live a little after all it isn''t like he''s a saintly repub.

[barbaraf4]

I saw on CNN that this person was earning $500,000 per year. I call that a princely sum for the head of a nonprofit organization that depends almost entirely on donations.

[iceman_1960]

RE: Post by lastdance6 at 09:45 PM : Nov 27, 2007

Most posters are mature enough to avoid the kind of abusive and defamatory posting you cited.

Those few who engage in it, do so because of the anonymity these screennames offer.

CBS should implement an easy IGNORE function so that other members can wipe these posts off their screens.

A lot of other websites have this function.