Yahoo! Director Patti Hart plans to leave the board of the biggest US web portal amid questions about her role in hiring Chief Executive Officer Scott Thompson, whose academic credentials were misstated by the company.
Hart said she won’t seek re-election to the board, citing her duties as CEO of International Game Technology. She was asked by that company’s board to step back from Yahoo because that job could become a distraction, according to a statement from Hart and Chairman Philip Satre.
Hart was on the Yahoo committee responsible for hiring Thompson, whose biography falsely said he held a degree in computer science.
“My primary responsibilities are to serve as chief executive officer of IGT and to eliminate activities that may interfere with my ability to carry out my commitments to IGT and its valued stakeholders.” Hart said in the statement.
Yahoo investor Third Point has stepped up pressure for Thompson’s removal after disclosing the discrepancy in his credentials last week, prompting the board to embark on a review of the matter. The fallout marks a setback for Thompson, who joined from eBay in January and is attempting to revive Yahoo’s growth.
He replaced Carol Bartz, who was dismissed in September amid falling sales and market-share losses to Google and Facebook.
