When one is in deep trouble, chances are you will seek your allies and hope their backing will get you through the storm. This seems to be the strategy World Bank’s president Paul Wolfowitz seems to be employing in trying to get past the pay scandal that has undermined his leadership and might ultimately cost him his job.

Last week, a story broke where Wolfowitz had allegedly pushed for a pay raise for his girlfriend Shaha Riza when she was assigned to the US State Department against her will in 2005. She was kept in the bank’s payroll with an extraordinary package including a 50% raise.  

Wolfowitz denied the charges but admitted involvement stating he was protecting the bank’s interests by preventing Riza from suing the World Bank. On Friday, the bank’s board released some incriminating documents contradicting Wolfowitz claim.

This scandal comes at an interesting time as the 180 country finance ministers are in Washington for the annual spring World Bank meeting. Delegates are holding a flurry of meetings with World Bank officials providing advice on the best course to follow. Wolfowitz has reached out to the African finance ministers who have benefited the most from his reign when he took over the World Bank in 2005.

Read the full article: Beleaguered Wolfowitz seeks out African support