Senators Call for Investigation of Indian Museum’s Spending

Two U.S. senators have called for an independent investigation of travel expenditures over the past four years by the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, reports The Washington Post.

The announcement followed last Friday’s Post report that claimed the museum executive, W. Richard West Jr., spent more than $250,000 in institution funds over the past four years on first-class transportation and lodging around the world.

According to a review of travel vouchers, Mr. West traveled for 576 days on trips during that time that included speaking engagements, fund raising, and work for other nonprofit groups.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley and Senate Rules Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein have each called for investigations of the museum’s spending.

Smithsonian officials have been under fire since earlier this year when spending abuses by then-Secretary Lawrence M. Small were revealed.

Mr. West told The Post that a Congressional mandate required him to travel as a global ambassador for the museum. He noted that he raised $155-million for the institution during his tenure.