Smithsonian spent $20K on catered dinner for NMAI

Thursday, April 12, 2007  

The Smithsonian Institution spent $20,000 on a catered dinner to celebrate the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in September 2004.

The dinner was held for the Smithsonian Board of Regents. The expenditure came under fire at a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

"I think it's a problem ... to have a dinner for regents that amounts to $20,000 following a board meeting," Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) said, The Washington Post reported.

The Smithsonian has faced scrutiny for its management and financial practices. Lawrence Small recently stepped down as Secretary after news reports revealed his high salary and benefits, including improvements to his home.

Get the Story:
Smithsonian Termed 'Endangered'; Board's Structure Questioned (The Washington Post 4/12)
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Senate Panel Admonishes a Beleaguered Smithsonian (The New York Times 4/12)
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Relevant Links:
National Museum of the American Indian - http://www.nmai.si.edu

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