I'm pretty happy this finally happened!
Smithsonian Head Replaced Amid Criticism
By Jacqueline Trescott and James V. GrimaldiWashington Post Staff Writers
Monday, March 26, 2007; 3:44 PM
Lawrence M. Small, the banker who took over the Smithsonian Institution seven years ago, resigned under pressure, museum officials announced today.
Cristian Samper, a biologist who heads the National Museum of Natural History, was named acting secretary, according to an announcement by Roger Sant, head of the Smithsonian's executive committee.
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Small's management of the Smithsonian has been sharply criticized by members of Congress, and his compensation and spending practices have been subjected to scrutiny by the Smithsonian's inspector general. Last week, two separate committees were appointed to look into management operations at the museum complex, which includes 18 museums and research facilities as well as the National Zoo.
Small submitted his resignation on Saturday. The regents met on Sunday and accepted it.
"There were some regrets" among the regents, Sant said, "but we had to weigh that against the contrary current feeling among some in the community about Secretary Small. . . . It would be hard to ignore those when things were swirling around you."
Small was not present for the announcement. Sant said the departing secretary would not receive a severance package.
In his letter of resignation, Small said: "Having spent countless days and evenings promoting the interest of the institution and having contributed over a half a million dollars of my own money as well, it has truly been a labor of love."
Sant said that Small raised more money for the Smithsonian in his seven-year tenure than had been raised in the previous history of the institution.
The Smithsonian opened two new museums under Small, the National Museum of the American Indian and the Dulles Airport annex of the National Air and Space Museum. Small also presided over the $200 million renovation of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, which are in the historic Old Patent Office Building.
He also led fundraising efforts for major improvements the Museum of American History and the Museum of Natural History, as well as many new exhibits at the National Zoo, including the panda habitat.
Small's spending has been the subject of intense public scrutiny after The Washington Post published details last month from a confidential inspector general's report examining his $2 million in housing and office expenses during the past six years.
Hired in 2000 from the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Small's tenure overseeing the 160-year-old institution has been rocked by repeated controversy.
Early in his tenure Small angered scientists over proposed changes in research across the institution. Last year, he upset historians and filmmakers seeking access to institution archives when he signed a semi-exclusive deal with the Showtime cable channel. Small also was convicted of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty when he imported indigenous headdresses festooned with feathers and animal parts from endangered species.
Despite troubles, Small has never received any public admonishment from the Board of Regents, which is chaired by the chief justice of the United States. Regents have boosted his salary from $333,000 in 2000 to $884,733 in 2006. The Smithsonian oversees the National Zoo, 18 museums and a 19th that is under development. It is both a nonprofit organization under tax laws and a creation of Congress that receives federal appropriations -- including $615 million last year.
The Post reported in February that Small 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.
Last week, The Post reported that Small spent nearly $160,000 on the redecoration of his offices in the institution's main building on the Mall shortly after he took the helm of the Smithsonian. The expenses include $4,000 for two chairs from the English furniture-maker George Smith, $13,000 for a custom-built conference table and $31,000 for Berkeley striped upholstery.
Small has also received $1.15 million in housing allowances over a six-year period in return for agreeing to use his 6,500-square-foot home in Woodley Park for Smithsonian functions. To justify those expenses, Small has submitted receipts for $152,000 in utility bills, $273,000 in housekeeping services and $203,000 in maintenance charges. The home-repair invoices show $12,000 for upkeep and service on his backyard swimming pool, including $4,000 to replace the lap pool's natural gas heater and pump.
Last year, a federal investigation into Fannie Mae's questionable business practices found that Small was prominent among executives who encouraged employees to hit profit targets above all else so that managers, including Small, would receive larger annual bonuses. Regulators say Small advocated tactics that violated generally accepted accounting rules and misled investors.