Nathan Awrich wrote:
Now, I may be reading the situation in exactly the wrong way - but I would like a more elaborate description of why this might be so, and I imagine I am not alone. There are still many unknowns regarding the truth here, and the Foundation can only benefit from providing clarity.
I am afraid you are reading it exactly the wrong way.
The Register story contained allegations that were completely unknown to me and the rest of the board. I want to completely dispel the notion that the board might have known all about this in the past and tried to hide it... that's completely not true.
On the day that the story was coming out, we got a phone call from The Register darkly hinting about the story they were going to publish. After a quick consulation about what the heck they might be talking about, we decided that Mike should talk to them to find out what was going on.
In that interview, Mike spoke plainly of the simple truth... as of the time of that phone call, we had nothing to go on but the word of The Register itself, which hardly constitutes proof of anything. And the allegations were... shocking to say the least.
To address the primary concern that many people would naturally have on hearing this: there is no evidence so far that there has been any theft of any Wikimedia Foundation money.
As the founder of Wikipedia and spiritual leader of the project from day one, I make this promise to you: if the currently underway audit turns up any stolen money, I will personally make a donation out of my own pocket to cover the loss. (However, knowing the current state of things, I am reasonably confident that this promise costs me nothing to make: I make it to reassure you, reader, that I stand behind this organization 100%.)
--Jimbo