World Bank Employees Call for Wolfowitz to Step Down After Admitting Promotion of Romantically Involved Staffer

Staffer Received Pay Increase Double Amount Allowable by Rules...

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Blogged by Brad on the road…

Jesus…does this nightmare ever end?!…

April 12 (Bloomberg) — World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz apologized for his role in the promotion of a woman with whom he was romantically involved as the international finance agency’s employees demanded he quit.

Wolfowitz told a press conference in Washington today that he’s prepared to accept whatever “remedies” the bank’s board proposes. He later addressed the group’s Staff Association in the atrium of the bank’s headquarters, where colleagues shouted “resign, resign.”

“I made a mistake, for which I am sorry,” he said at the press conference. He also acknowledged the need to reorganize his personal office, where aides have been criticized for a lack of expertise in development aid and for ties to the Republican Party.

The Staff Association, which represents about 13,000 World Bank employees, hasn’t called for the resignation of a president before, according to Alison Cave, who heads the group.

The Bush administration, which nominated Wolfowitz for the job, has “full confidence” in the World Bank president, said Deputy White House Press Secretary Tony Fratto.

Riza’s promotion came with a pay increase that was more than double the amount allowed by staff rules, according to Cave. She later received an annual increase of 7.5 percent, also larger than rules allow.

(Hat-tip BRAD BLOG commenter “Ancient”)

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Reader Comments on

World Bank Employees Call for Wolfowitz to Step Down After Admitting Promotion of Romantically Involved Staffer

25 Comments

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25 Responses

  1. 1)
    scarlet p. said on 4/12/2007 @ 7:28pm PT: [Permalink]

    And the tragic part is you KNOW that kind of money wasn’t nearly enough for Wolfy and his gal… 200 thou a year is like beggar’s change in the circles they try to fly in.

    If we could find a way to convince the rich that they have enough money, you wouldn’t believe the sort of changes that’d start taking place on this planet.

  2. 2)
    Shannon Williford said on 4/12/2007 @ 9:26pm PT: [Permalink]

    Another day, another Republican scandal. It’s hard to keep up with the length and bredth of their criminality…

    sigh.

    Come on free elections! Keep workin’ y’all…

    shw

  3. 4)
    Ancient said on 4/13/2007 @ 5:29am PT: [Permalink]

    Hey Brad thanks for the hat tip!
    Funny thing is I haven’t heard any thing about this on the t.v., only the internet, but then again I don’t watch that much.

  4. 5)
    Dredd said on 4/13/2007 @ 5:36am PT: [Permalink]

    Brad asks “does this nightmare ever end” …

    And especially since they already have the record as the most corrupt and dictatorial regime in our nation’s history.

    But let me leak an even greater shocker: when the truth finally comes out we find out that all of this is only the tip of the iceberg.

    As more and more and more and more and more, and yes, even more, think something very great is amiss.

    Hey … one must admit that there is evidence to support all those neoCons who have already morphed into neoConvicts.

    The answer to your question is that, like all nightmares, we must wake up in order to end it.

  5. 8)
    big dan said on 4/13/2007 @ 6:24am PT: [Permalink]

    But seriously, compare his judgement here, and then realize he was one of THE architects of the Iraq War.

  6. 9)
    Golden Boy said on 4/13/2007 @ 7:15am PT: [Permalink]

    Say what you will but Wolfowitz was actually trying to clean up the World Bank, itself is a behemoth shakedown operation. I have a friend who worked there and witnessed first hand the outrageous cost of the projects the Bank, working hand-in-hand with major corporations, foist upon poor third world countries. Meanwhile, US and other developed nation taxpayers get to back the loans.
    Wolfowitz’ efforts to curb corruption earned him the enmity of the major players who dine on the backs of poverty-stricken peasants who have to pay back the costs of often unneeded and overpriced projects. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Maurice Strong(a global string puller, if there ever was one) network is ginning this up to force Wolfowitz out so they can get back to businees as usual.

    Forget Wolfowitz’ “neocon” credentials and look deeper.

  7. 10)
    czaragorn said on 4/13/2007 @ 7:32am PT: [Permalink]

    “I made a mistake, for which I am sorry.” That’s supposed to clear up the entire matter? That’s our taxpayer money he’s giving his girlfriend. I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!!

  8. 11)
    big dan said on 4/13/2007 @ 7:49am PT: [Permalink]

    Golden Boy says, “Wolfowitz’ efforts to curb corruption “…

    …sorry, but I just finished laughing so hard, blood started spurting out my nose……………..

  9. 12)
    Golden Boy said on 4/13/2007 @ 8:28am PT: [Permalink]

    “..sorry, but I just finished laughing so hard, blood started spurting out my nose.”

    Why? Other than this, have you heard of any other allegations of actual corruption against Wolfowitz?

  10. 13)
    Golden Boy said on 4/13/2007 @ 8:36am PT: [Permalink]

    “That’s our taxpayer money he’s giving his girlfriend. I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!! ”

    No it isn’t, the Bank is privately run. To my knowledge, the only time U.S. taxpayers kick in is if someone defaults on a loan. Pretty sweet system they have there, eh? Taxpayers take all the risk and Maurice Strong and his pals get all the rewards. Wolfowitz was actually trying to put a stop to this and apparently got caught up in his own petty scandal, a pittance compared to the monetary atrocities the World Bank commits every day. If you want to cry for the taxpayers, cry for the poor thrid world taxpayers who pay for the scam projects the World Bank enriches itself on.

  11. 16)
    Ancient said on 4/13/2007 @ 11:40am PT: [Permalink]

    But your right Golden Boy, the world bank is rotten too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. 17)
    big dan said on 4/13/2007 @ 12:00pm PT: [Permalink]

    If the World Bank is rotten, do you think “rotten” Paul Wolfowicz should be the guy to clean it up? You’re acting like Wolfowicz didn’t architect a “war of lies”, as part of his resume. And who was he appointed by, to the World Bank. Bush! Right? And we all know Bush appoints people on the “up and up”.

    The World Bank IS corrupt. Didn’t Hugo Chavez kick them out of the entire South America? And point to them as the reason for the financial instability of many South American countries?

    But, saying Wolfowicz will fight corruption, is like saying Bush and Cheney will fight corruption! Wolfowicz is one of THE original Bushco neo-con criminals! One of the BIGGEST! Didn’t you ever read anything about him?

  13. 18)
    big dan said on 4/13/2007 @ 12:01pm PT: [Permalink]

    Just do a google on “wolfowicz”…you don’t have to do both “criminal” and “wolfowicz”…IT’S IMPLIED!

  14. 19)
    big dan said on 4/13/2007 @ 12:03pm PT: [Permalink]

    For god’s sake! THIS ARTICLE we’re commenting in on brad blog is about a Wolfowicz scandal!!!!! Am I crackin’ up here?

    Here’s a tip: Don’t say Wolfowicz is fighting corruption…IN AN ARTICLE ABOUT A WOLFOWICZ SCANDAL!!!

  15. 20)
    marzi said on 4/13/2007 @ 3:23pm PT: [Permalink]

    Egad, Paul’s girlfriend is so unattractive. Do the crooks like to scheme in bed together?

  16. 22)
    Ancient said on 4/14/2007 @ 7:25am PT: [Permalink]

    Hey BD don’t twist my words! I’m definitely not defending werewolfowitz! I’m just agreeing with Golden Boy that the world bank is a f-ing disaster for the third world!

  17. 24)
    big dan said on 4/14/2007 @ 8:26pm PT: [Permalink]

    My comment came up after yours, and wasn’t meant for you at all. It just looked like I was responding to you.

(Comments are now closed.)


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