Smithsonian Chief’s Expenses Made Public

The Smithsonian Institution has disclosed internal documents that provide details of spending by Secretary Lawrence M. Small following complaints by some lawmakers that some of the expenses were lavish, reports The Washington Post.

Mr. Small logged nearly $850,000 in office expenses between 2000 and 2005, including $160,000 for redecoration costs and $130,000 to replace carpeting.

In addition, Mr. Small received a $1.15-million housing allowance over six years.

These expenses were made at a time of financial straits for the Smithsonian, the paper says. The institution has implemented wide austerity measures over the past few years, including sending an e-mail missive asking employees to reduce the amount of electricity they use for lighting.

Roger Sant, chairman of the executive committee of the Board of Regents, defends Mr. Small’s expenditures, stating: “He has raised $1.1-billion, and contributed more than half-a-million dollars himself. I don’t think he does this job for money.”

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