Things haven’t been going too well for embattled American University president Benjamin Ladner as of late. Beyond being investigated for close to $500,000 in questionable expenses, an independent audit delivered to the Board of Trustees yesterday recommended that he pay the university $115,000 to cover some of the spending and, more seriously, report an additional $350,000 in income to the IRS.

Today Ladner hosted an online discussion on the Post’s website that was notable for two things — his blaming of the media for the current scandal and his seeming refusal to answer some of the readers’ tougher questions. On the first point, Ladner repeatedly resorted to shooting the messenger, accusing the media of engaging in a one-sided battle against him. He stated:

I do dispute the allegations and the exaggerated amounts leaked to the press. I have provided extensive rebuttals, which the press has not reported.

On the second point, Ladner seems to have done such a good job cherry-picking the questions (he avoided three posted by DCist) that the producer of the chat was forced to intervene:

washingtonpost.com: Dr. Ladner, as producer of this discussion I must tell you that several readers are writing in criticizing you for not answering any of the hardball questions. If I may, I would like to ask you three questions: If asked by the Board of Trustees to step down, will you? Have you offered to pay back the university for any expenses deemed inappropriate? Would you take a pay cut?

At the producer’s behest, Ladner answered the three questions, and promptly signed off. Ironically enough, one reader had earlier congratulated Ladner for participating in the chat, adding that “I’m sure you will face some very unpleasant questions” — which, in the end, he really didn’t.