Pilar O'Leary: Latina Yuppie Disgraces the Smithsonian

This is a sad story for Smithsonian Institute, Latin people who have worked hard to get ahead in this country, and America, in general. But no matter how sick this story is, is it must be told.

Why do yuppies feel the need to abuse power? Why aren't they ever happy with success? These are the questions I have had to deal with for many years and in the time I've started this BLOG the yuppies have become more powerful and have been getting more and more prestigious jobs in America. And no one is getting "hip" to them.

Pilar O'Leary, 39, The head of the Smithsonian Latino Center resigned after an investigation found she abused her expense account to fund her extravagant use of spas, luxury hotels frequent limousine rides, and free tickets to concerts according to a report released by the institution.

You would think this girl would have been happy with the job she had, the payroll she was given and the position of representing the Latino community at the the Smithsonian Institute. But she couldn't hold back her vile ways once she had been given the taste a taste of success. But it was in the cards though because the idiot who hired her was just as bad.

Her departure follows a year of turmoil at the Smithsonian, which depends on the public for about 70 percent of its $1.1 billion budget. Former Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small, who hired O'Leary, was forced to step down in March 2007 amid an investigation of his squandering and illicit spending. The use of limousines by Small and his other top officials had drawn scrutiny in earlier inquiries. Many of O'Leary's violations came after Small left the Smithsonian so she learned something from her boss in her office. Not what we would hope she would be learning for the good of a Institution which is part of our heritage in the USA.

Life was good for Pilar O'Leary up to this point. She just had a mini-profile of her published by Washington Life Magazine, a social magazine, that photographed her in a $expensive dress and more than $25,000 in jewelry. She also had a superb article published on her and her work with the Latin arts and artists for the Smithsonian by LATINA STYLE MAGAZINE. But she wanted more. It was really only about her. That is all that mattered in her little egg shell mind.

O'Leary often refused to stay at hotels offering government rates, normally insisting on booking at a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons. In one example from December 2006, she stayed at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles and charged her expenses at a spa called Rikrak to the the Smithsonian. Why? From what I have read it wasn't more than a $400.00 bill. Hey you'd be surprized what you can charge on a Visa card nowadays. Plus you would keep your good name out of the national press.

O'Leary also solicited free tickets to events like the Latin Grammys and the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Conference to friends probably to get favors from private companies and individuals. She was learning how to make influential friends who may pay off in different fields for her as she climbed the social ladder through her Smithsonian position . She even tried to secure a contract for a friend. Thank god they caught this piece of crap!!! And I hope the Smithsonian learns how hire someone that is in their system to help fund and keep this great American Institution alive and running well for future generations.