That's a very interesting blog post, and at first glance situation looks bad in a
number of ways. I'm bothered by the lack of reporting as well as the COI issues
involved.
Anasuya, at I don't think the $53,690 number is the right one, but regardless of how
much money was involved, can you look at this issue, figure out what happened from start
to finish, and respond to the other questions raised in this discussion? Can you confirm
what the amount of money involved was, clarify why Sandole was listed as a WMF Fundraiser
contractor which implied that he raised money for WMF instead of being a grantee receiving
money from WMF, that the money came entirely from Stanton, how it was accounted for in the
financial statements referenced by Tomasz, and what reports were produced that may have
been sent back to Stanton or WMF about what the outcomes of the grant were?
I would also be interested in knowing what COI rules were established as conditions of
this grant, by Stanton, Harvard, and/or WMF. It would be interesting to get full copies of
any contracts or grant award documents although that may be appropriate for review by the
Board in private.
I'm also CCing this to Garfield and WMF Legal. It looks like something went very wrong
here.
Thanks,
Pine