Intrepid Museum Head Bill White Under Investigation Over State Pension Fund

Yesterday Bill White abruptly resigned after 20 years as the openly gay head of NYC's Intrepid Air Sea and Space Museum. Today the New York Post reveals that White has been under investigation since 2007 in a corruption probe of the state pension fund.

The probers were trying to determine if he solicited campaign contributions for disgraced ex-state Comptroller Alan Hevesi from Guggenheim Advisors, a branch of the Bank of Ireland, in exchange for the right to manage $447 million in state pension funds. Cuomo last year subpoenaed dozens of companies, including Bill White & Associates, that acted as middlemen and received fees for arranging access to pension-fund monies. White's firm received a $2 million fee from City Investment Fund LP, a real-estate firm that was chosen to invest pension funds. Late last year, Cuomo, who plans to run for governor, returned a $1,000 contribution from White.

Former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned amidst a massive corruption scandal in late 2006. He plead guilty to defrauding the government and was banned from ever holding elective office again.

William White Quits Intrepid Museum

William White, the openly gay president of NYC's massive Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, abruptly quit today after 20 years on the job. And nobody is saying why.

Mr. White quit his positions at the floating museum on the Hudson and the foundation that operates it, as well as his roles with two charitable organizations that raise money to help injured servicemen — the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Intrepid Relief Fund. The resignation occurred at a meeting of the foundation’s board just days before Fleet Week, the annual influx of sailors that centers on the Intrepid. Neither the foundation’s spokesman, Howard J. Rubenstein, nor a spokesman for Mr. White would explain what had led to his departure after 20 years at the Intrepid. Mr. White could not immediately be reached for comment by phone or e-mail.

In December 2008 White was a contender for appointment to Secretary of the Navy. More recently he made the news for his campaign to have a retired space shuttle installed as part of the Intrepid's permanent Manhattan collection.

Boldly Going To A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Openly gay Intrepid Air & Space Museum director Bill White is asking fans of Star Wars and Star Trek to put down their phasers and light sabers and appear today in full costume at an event to rally support for the campaign to get a decommissioned space shuttle added to the collection of historic vehicles displayed on the deck of the aircraft carrier Intrepid in Manhattan. At this writing, Klingons and storm troopers are gathering in Grand Central.

Intrepid Returns To Manhattan

After a two year refurbishment, the aircraft carrier Intrepid is back at its dock on the West Side.

The U.S.S. Intrepid made it back up the Hudson to Pier 86 on the West Side today. The aircraft carrier underwent a $120 million refurbishing over the past two years and is headed back to serve as the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum.

A little history from its press materials: "One of the most distinguished war ships in naval history, the USS Intrepid was first launched in 1943 during World War II, then aided in NASA spacecraft recovery and later served in Vietnam. In 1976, the USS Intrepid was decommissioned and established as a museum ship by Zachary Fisher and the Intrepid Museum Foundation. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum officially opened in New York City in 1982." The museum will be back open on November 8.

I'm losing all track of time in my dotage. If you had asked me yesterday when they towed out the Intrepid, I'd have said "six months ago."

(Via - Gothamist)