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Wayne Smith given the boot
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002

Wayne Smith, the top aide to Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb, has been asked to resign today or face being fired, The Washington Post reports.

The Post does not cite who or whom asked Smith to leave but that he has been on administrative leave. A Department of Interior spokesperson declined to comment to the paper, saying it was a "personnel issue."

Smith has hired an attorney, the paper reports. Nancy Luque said he would contest any action against him.

The resignation comes amid two probes into the lobbying activities of Phil Bersinger, a former business partner of Smith. Smith denies any involvement and said the scandal was tied to his refusal to reverse a decision affecting a small California tribe seeking to build a casino.

Get the Story:
Key Indian Affairs Official Told to Quit, Sources Say (The Washington Post 5/23)