Jimmy Wales in cash for articles allegation

Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales had had a tough week

Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia, is facing more trouble after a former Novell executive claimed that he was asked for money in exchange for a favourable posting on the site.

Jeff Merkey has claimed that Wales asked for a donation to Wikipedia in return for changing Merkey's profile to be more favourable.

Merkey claims that he contributed $5,000 a year, and that his profile was put to Wikipedia editors for a re-edit before being locked down that so ordinary users could not add comments.

"Wales agreed that in exchange for a substantial donation and other financial support of the Wikimedia Foundation projects, Wales would use his influence to make Merkey's article adhere to Wikipedia's stated policies with regard to internet libel 'as a courtesy' and place Merkey under his 'special protection' as an editor," Merkey said in a statement.

"Merkey later withdrew his financial support of the Wikipedia project after reviewing evidence of diversion and mismanagement of the charities funds by Wales and the Wikimedia Board of Trustees, and was immediately banned from the Wikipedia site by the Arbitration Committee for frivolous and unsubstantiated claims after he terminated the payments of $5,000 per year to the Wikimedia Foundation."

The news will be a blow to Wales who is already facing allegations that he misused his expense account. He has also been targeted by an ex-girlfriend who has made allegations about his conduct.