Bush Aide, Felipe Sixto, Resigns over Misuse of Free Cuba Money

WASHINGTON -- An aide to President Bush has resigned because of his alleged misuse of grant money from the U.S. Agency for International Development when he worked for a Cuban democracy organization.

Felipe Sixto was promoted on March 1 as a special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and stepped forward on March 20 to reveal his alleged wrongdoing and to resign, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said Friday. He said Mr. Sixto took that step after learning that his former employer, the Center for a Free Cuba, was prepared to bring legal action against him.

Mr. Stanzel said the alleged wrongdoing involved the misuse of money when Mr. Sixto was an official at the center.

The matter has been turned over to the Justice Department for investigation, Mr. Stanzel said. He said Mr. Bush was briefed on the case and felt that the appropriate action was being taken.

The Center for a Free Cuba describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan institution dedicated to promoting human rights and a transition to democracy and the rule of law in Cuba.