Smithsonian Leader Was Paid for House Rarely Used for Business

Despite receiving $1.1-million for housing expenses over six years, the former secretary of the Smithsonian Institution routinely failed to hold more than a few social and fund-raising events per year in his home, which his contract required, reports The Washington Post.

Although Lawrence M. Small entertained guests 26 times in 2000, his first year, a letter from the Smithsonian, written at the request of the Senate Finance Committee, revealed that, by 2004, Mr. Small was holding just two events yearly. Between 2005 and his resignation in March, Mr. Small organized just one event, a catered affair that, based on his annual entertainment allowance, cost approximately $18,000 per person, the report said.

The article also revealed previously unreported details about the international travel expenses of Mr. Small’s wife, a translator, who charged more than $90,000 to the institution, including a $14,000 trip to New Dehli.

Mr. Small defended himself on both charges, saying that as the Smithsonian constructed elegant new buildings and exhibits over the past few years, it made more sense to hold fund-raising events at the museums, rather than in his home. He also said that all his wife’s trips related to official Smithsonian business.

Read The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s coverage of a Smithsonian internal review, as well as articles about Senate investigations into Mr. Small’s tenure in 2006
and 2007.

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