Reports in the US media today have suggested that Cynthia Stroum’s tenure as US ambassador to Luxembourg was terminated because she failed to manage the embassy in an appropriate manner. Media including the San Francisco Examiner and Herald Online were carrying the Associated Press story: "Big Obama donor quits envoy job amid criticism". The article cites an internal State Department report as saying that the Luxembourg embassy "has underperformed for the entirety of the current ambassador's tenure."

"The bulk of the mission's internal problems are linked to her leadership deficiencies, the most damaging of which is an abusive management style," the report continues. "She has followed a pattern of public criticism of colleagues, including (deputies), who have not performed to her satisfaction."

Although the State Department is not commenting on Stroum’s departure other than to say they were "grateful for her service", the implication in the reports is that she was pushed rather than jumped. In a letter to the Luxembourg media, Stroum had said she was resigning from her post for personal reasons.

Indeed, the State Department document – if authentic – makes it clear that her behaviour was a serious problem that had to be nipped in the bud. "It is unfortunate that an impression is being created among officers and local employees at this mission that this kind of behaviour may be routinely tolerated by Department of State leadership, particularly for non-career ambassadors."

The AP story also cites several cases of what it calls "improprieties", including: spending of $2,400 on a trip to a Swiss "professional school" made without proper authorisation; the purchase of $3,400 in wine and liquor a day before the 2010 budget year ended; the wrong reimbursement of the cost of a new bed.