Well-traveled at the Smithsonian

The founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian spent more than $250,000 in institution funds over the past four years on first-class transportation and plush lodging in hotels around the world, including more than a dozen trips to Paris.

In that time, W. Richard West Jr. was away from Washington traveling for 576 days on trips that included speaking engagements, fundraising and work for other nonprofit groups, according to a review of travel vouchers for West’s trips obtained by the Washington Post.

At the time, top Smithsonian officials were allowed unlimited leave with pay. “At all times,” West said, “my travel authorizations and reimbursements, and their direct connection to NMAI and Smithsonian business, were reviewed and approved fully by my supervisors.”

Smithsonian officials have been under scrutiny since earlier this year following revelations about spending abuses by then-Secretary Lawrence Small. An independent panel sharply criticized Small and Sheila Burke, his top deputy, for taking too much time away from the office.

Small and Burke were West’s supervisors. The unlimited-leave policy was changed after the Small scandal. Small resigned in March and Burke left in September. West, 64, who has been in charge of staff at the museum since 1989, is retiring next week.