More Scandal for the Smithsonian

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Smithsonian released records yesterday indicating that the head of the Smithsonian Latino Center resigned in February after an internal investigation found her in violation of 14 ethical and conflict-of-interest policies, the Washington Post reports. The report was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the Post.

The report attests that Pilar O'Leary frequently abused her expense account with "extravagant" travel expenses, tried to direct a contract to a friend, accepted gifts from outside companies hoping to do business with the Smithsonian, and solicited free tickets to shows and award ceremonies. In an email to the Post, O'Leary denied her offenses.

O'Leary was hired in 2005 by the former director of the institution, Lawrence M. Small, who resigned last year amid a scandal about his expense account abuses. Smithsonian inspector general A. Sprightley Ryan completed his report about O'Leary in November 2007, which he then referred to the U.S. attorney's office, but they did not prosecute. When O'Leary's resignation was announced in January, the acting undersecretary did not mention anything about the scandal. On April 14, the acting secretary sent an e-mail to the staff saying that O'Leary had "engaged in behavior that violated our Standards of Conduct and other Smithsonian policies."