controversy and scandal erupted on internet forums on 28 february 2007 , when publicity was offered to essjay , a prominent wikipedia administrator and researcher , having claim false documents which were written in a magazine . internet encyclopedia wikipedia chief - chair jimbo wales was travelling in india , and at 06 : 42 on march 3 he issued a announcement that further documents had come to his aid and he had asked the editor to resign his posts of confidence within the community . at 03 : 17 on march 4 essjay confirmed on his user talk list that he had retired and was no currently active on internet .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.