Ex-Smithsonian Director, Pilary O'Leary, Charged Institution For Spa, Salon Expenses

The Smithsonian's Inspector General released a report on Monday charging that the former Director of the Latino Center, Pilar O'Leary, had the institution pay for some of her personal expenses as well as fancy hotel rooms. The Washington Post has more details excerpted below. O'Leary quit her position in February when the accusations surfaced. Washington Life magazine documented Mrs. O'Leary's flare for fashion in it's 2006 "Substance and Style Awards" spread.

The former director of the Smithsonian Latino Center charged the office for personal expenses like salon, spa and gift shop purchases, solicited free tickets for the Latin Grammy Awards and stayed in four- and five-star hotels while traveling for business -- often in upgraded rooms with ocean views and Jacuzzi suites, a report from the Smithsonian's inspector general says...

...In April 2007, having obtained free tickets to the Latin Billboard awards show (normal charge: $450 a person), Ms. O'Leary sent a message to the ticket source, saying, "Many thanks, [name redacted]! You are the best. One q: how d I get one extra ticket?"

Another message sent in relation to the event said: "Thanks again for everything, you are a [word redacted]! Do you know if the second ticket you gave me which is basically the after party invite with the silver sticker is better than the regular ticket?"

Comments

[maddie0001]

This is the kind of thing that makes people feel, what's that word? Right, BITTER.

[GerryS]

what did they name the twins?

[madron]

She has to be a repuplican...........criminal......

[KRYSTY]

Have you noticed that all Hillary supporters are dirty, mean and hopeless people?

[johnnygoodwud]

who payed for the plastic chest helmets? nasty

[sashimi]

I wish they'd send her to any fast food joint in SW part of Washington DC. and make her work full time instead of whatever the law says. Then see how long for her to pay back the money she had stolen.

[NelsonR]

Why are these people never charged or at least forced to repay all these criminal cost the American taxpayer should not receive? Our government is so corrupt but the people accept it.

[rich3324]

Guess she missed her ethics in government class.

[JeffWasHere]

This "pillar" of the community also used to work for Fannie Mae, so she probably caused the mortgage crisis as well. I'm going to see if she also told Bush to invade Iraq.

[winoohno]

This is just another case of the depths to which Public Officials have sunk. Time after time we have reports of Public Officials misusing their office. Where is the integrity? Where is the honesty? You would think after being appointed to such a lofty position, these people would follow the rules and not take advantage of their office... but NO... miss prima donna over here has a boob job, makes the taxpayers foot the bill for the salon & spa and has to stay in 5-star hotels?!?! I guess that's why the term "Public Servant" is so out of vogue.

[GPC]

It looks like this Director of the Smithsonian found her share of ancient bones.

[HaloGuy]

Pilary - I love it.

Grasping at straws, are we?

[ChiMan1]

The Sky is Blue! . . . Bush Did It!

[helloworld2008]

The whole Bush regime = crooks

[huffyISaHottie]

i believe her boss did the same thing in 05

[kellygrrrrl]

The Smithsonian is a neocon altar and host the Skull and Bones yearly initiation rights. It is but one of the institutions that should, and would, be destroyed by the Progressives. The altar of material greed cannot stand.

[nunzia]

rites.

[BlackWidowPilot]

The Smithsonian is a repository of priceless historical and scientific artifacts, oh neo-con troll. True Progressive know this, and would not destroy it, but would certainly remove the "Busheviks" appointed to run it and all other public institutions into the ground.

Nice try, but transparent as glass (as usual).

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[kellygrrrl]

Heckuva job, Trollie

[ellocoliberal]

Museum quality silicon cones, no?