[Foundation-l] Foundation Discretion Regarding Personnel Matters

[Robert Rohde]

On Dec 14, 2007 10:58 PM, Jimmy Wales <jwales at wikia.com> wrote:

> 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
>
>

Thank you for these clear and open comments.

-Robert Rohde