The American Bible Society has announced it will not renew the annual contract for its current president, Dr Paul Irwin, who had been suspended amid an investigation of possible financial irregularities at the organisation.
Dr Dennis C Dickerson, chairman of the ABS Board of Trustees, made the announcement Friday, weeks after a New York Times report revealed Irwin hired a web consultant who has ties with online pornography businesses and a gambling enterprise.
More than $5 million was paid to Richard J Gordon, with whom Irwin had previously worked when serving as president of the Humane Society of the United States. At ABS, Gordon was hired to revamp Web sites, launch a television programme online, and boost online marketing over the past two years - all to get the charity up to speed on Internet development.
Both Irwin and an ABS spokesman said they had no knowledge of Gordon's involvement in pornography or financial impropriety. Once it was brought to their attention by the Times' May 18 article, the Bible Society terminated all existing contracts with the Internet contractor.
ABS spokesman Roy Lloyd said the charity is the "innocent victim" and assured that an independent review of the organisation's financial stewardship will be done with "integrity". The charity also ensured a neutral investigation by placing Irwin and its Chief Financial Officer, Richard Steward, on paid leave.
Now as Irwin's contract is set to expire on June 30, the Board of Trustees determined not to bring him back to lead the 192-year-old organisation. Irwin served as head for two years. ABS Executive Vice Presidents Dr RL Vest and the Rev Simon Barnes will retain interim responsibility for day-to-day operations, board chairman Dickerson said.
