[Foundation-l] Foundation Discretion Regarding Personnel Matters

[Jimmy Wales]

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