Smithsonian Institution’s Undersecretary for Art Resigns

The Smithsonian Institution’s undersecretary for art, Ned Rifkin, announced Wednesday that he is leaving his post in April to take a sabbatical, reports The Washington Post. He has held the position for the past four years.

Mr. Rifkin, 58, said his departure was part of a transition plan he had arranged with Cristián Samper, who is serving as interim head of the institution while the museum’s Board of Regents searches for a new secretary to replace Lawrence M. Small. Mr. Small resigned from the position last March amid investigations into his spending.

The museum’s general management has in the past two years undergone criticism by lawmakers for its salaries, outside income paid to top officials who served on corporate boards, secret business dealings, and lack of oversight of its operations, the newspaper says. According to a special report by the Smithsonian inspector general last year, Mr. Rifkin earned $440,000.

(Free registration is required to view this article.)