[IP] Smithsonian Head's Expenses 'Lavish,' Audit Says: Board Calls Small's Charges 'Reasonabl

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: John Adams <jadams01@sprynet.com>
Date: February 26, 2007 9:09:07 AM JST
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: For IP: Smithsonian Head's Expenses 'Lavish,' Audit Says:  
Board Calls Small's Charges 'Reasonabl

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/24/ 
AR2007022401510_pf.html

This part is deja vu all over again--or maybe, first time tragedy,  
second time farce:

The secretary's staff justified some spending that appeared to  
violate policy because they believed "the Secretary could waive any  
policy if it applied" to him.

The inspector general replied in a footnote, "We are aware of no  
written authority for the Secretary to waive Smithsonian policies."

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