After a month-long investigation, a special panel released its report finding World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz guilty of breaking ethics rules when he intervened in the generous pay-and-promotion package for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza. The strongly-worded report was given to Wolfowitz for comment and will be tackled by the bank’s 24-member board, which may have to fire its president for the first time in 60 years, this week. Board sources spoke of a “widespread feeling” among member countries that too much damage has been done to the bank’s credibility, making it impossible for the former U.S. deputy defense secretary to complete his term, but a senior bank official reiterated that Wolfowitz will not resign from his post, claiming the controversy was a smear campaign to discredit his leadership. Conversely, Wolfowitz’s top senior adviser, Kevin Kellems, quit his post to pursue “other opportunities”, stating that “the current environment” in the bank made it “very difficult to be effective in helping to advance the mission of the institution.”
Sources:
World Bank panel finds Wolfowitz broke rules (Reuters)
World Bank to meet this week on Wolfowitz future (Reuters)
World Bank panel presents Wolfowitz with findings (Reuters)
Top Wolfowitz Aide Steps Down (The Wall Street Journal)
