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Statement of Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa on Authorized Expenditures of Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small

Statement

Date: March 19, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History Government Budget and Spending

Mr. Small's champagne lifestyle turns out to be Dom Perignon.

The authorized expenses are over the top by any measure. The manipulation of the audit might be even worse. The Secretary and his office created a house of mirrors to deflect and disguise his abusive expenditures. That's a violation of the public trust.

It looks like the Smithsonian Castle has been turned into Mr. Small's palace.

It's a display of disregard for the Smithsonian's mission to keep institution artifacts and art work in the executive office. With tax benefits and tax dollars, donations are made and items are purchased for the public to enjoy. Having a catalog's worth of art in your office goes against the standards
set by top museum directors.


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