A special panel has found that World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz broke bank rules in arranging a pay package and promotion for his girlfriend, it was claimed.
Mr Wolfowitz was presented with the findings by the special bank panel investigating his handling of the 2005 promotion and pay rise of bank employee Shaha Riza.
The report was not made public, but a source familiar with its findings confirmed yesterday that violations were cited.
World Bank officials are preparing for a finding that Mr Wolfowitz may have breached conflict of interest rules in arranging the pay package for Ms Riza. The controversy over her pay package has spurred calls for Mr Wolfowitz' resignation.
The special panel, which has been meeting over the last few weeks, met again yesterday and has sent a report of its findings to Mr Wolfowitz, according to sources.
Mr Wolfowitz will be given a chance to weigh in before the report is forwarded to the bank's board, the sources said.
Mr Wolfowitz's solicitor said his client was being given 48 hours to respond, which he called "unreasonable and unfair," and said they had requested to have until next Monday.
A White House spokesman said: "The president continues to strongly support Paul Wolfowitz and believes he should continue to lead the World Bank."
AP