Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2008-05-02/Arbitrator resigns

On Tuesday, arbitrator Newyorkbrad resigned from all positions and rights on Wikipedia, in good standing, due to sudden circumstances beyond his control. He left a message on his talk page:

"For once I'll be brief. Due to some external events, which have the potential to affect not just me but many uninvolved people, I will not be able to continue editing.

I would like to thank everyone I have worked with here. The community has extended me extraordinary kindness and support. I am sorry for the pages that never got written and the FA that never got done. I apologize to the 552 people who voted for me for breaking my commitment to them, and to anyone whose case I never had the chance to review."

Newyorkbrad, who was elected to the Arbitration Committee in December with an unprecedented 552 users supporting, had taken a one-week wikibreak after it was stated on another website that his identity had been uncovered. Newyorkbrad's departure followed a harassment campaign against his off-wiki life.

Jimbo Wales commented on the situation, saying, "I consider it a tragedy when trolls drive good people away from charity work by engaging in underhanded personal attacks."

See also the Note from the editor.