American Bible Society goes on alert

From Gary Stern at Blogging Religiously:

I got this ominous-sounding press release today from the American Bible Society, a NYC-based group, nearly 200 years old, that tries to make the Bible available to everyone:

  New York – May 20, 2008 – The American Bible Society Board Chairman, Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, announced today that two American Bible Society executives, Dr. Paul Irwin, President, and Richard Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, have been placed on leave at the request of the Board of Trustees.

  The Board has committed to a full and independent review of the financial stewardship of the American Bible Society.

  The American Bible Society’s Executive Vice Presidents, Dr. R. L. Vest and The Reverend Simon Barnes, will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations, reporting to the American Bible Society Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson.

Sounds like a bit of cleaning house. The New York Times had reported Sunday that the American Bible Society paid $5 million to an “electronic commerce” mogul whose clients included pornographers. Irwin denied knowing of Richard J. Gordon’s business with adult entertainers.