Sigma Delta Chi, the foundation for the Society of Professional Journalists, is returning Stephen Glass’s donation.
“I appreciate the SDX Foundation’s consideration,” Glass told iMediaEthics by e-mail. “I will donate this sum to a different charity. In addition to the charitable donation, I am also sending a letter to Hearst offering to provide the repayment to them as well.”
A letter from the foundation’s president to Glass, which Glass sent iMediaEthics, reads:
“The Sigma Delta Chi Foundation board of directors met Sunday and voted to decline your donation. We are returning $26,273 by electronic transfer.
“Your letter to us indicated you seek to ‘make right that part of my transgressions’ by returning payments to various publications you harmed. You included a contribution to SDX as a substitute for George magazine, which no longer exists.
“Your fabrications in the late 1990s did no harm to the SDX Foundation. Indeed, there is a more direct line from George to Hearst Magazines, which purchased the trademarks and copyrights from George’s publisher, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., in 2011. The reputation of specific individuals also was harmed; they, too, would be better served by your efforts at restitution.
“We’re aware that you have been asked about your reimbursements, and that you have mentioned your check to SDX. We ask that any future responses from you include the full disclosure that the Foundation declined your contribution.”
Sigma Delta Chi president Robert Leger told iMediaEthics, “The letter is our comment.”
Sigma Delta Chi voted yesterday on whether to accept the money, which it deposited upon receipt per protocol.
As iMediaEthics wrote last week, including the check to the foundation, Glass sent approximately $235,000 to make amends for his past journalistic sins.