Getty trust off of probation

The Washington-based Council on Foundations, which put the J. Paul Getty Trust’s membership on probation in December amid questions over finances and leadership, has restored the trust to full membership.

Council President and Chief Executive Steve Gunderson cited “significant reforms” at the trust, where controversy flared last year over the spending habits of President Barry Munitz. Munitz, who had traveled often, widely and in first class at Getty expense, stepped down in February from the $9-billion nonprofit, which operates the Getty Museum in Brentwood and the Getty Villa near Malibu.

Though a Getty spokesman acknowledged that a state attorney general’s investigation of the institution remains open, Gunderson said he was satisfied by several meetings with Getty officials, a review of “a significant amount of documents” and reforms “related to board governance, oversight and management of the Getty,” including staff travel.

Getty spokesman Ron Hartwig said the reforms included new self-assessment and training tools for board members; wider board circulation of staff compensation and performance review information; strengthened conflict-of-interest provisions; and increased board oversight of real-estate transactions. Some of those changes are already in effect, Hartwig said, and others are still being phased in.