The head of international accounting firm Arthur Andersen quit unexpectedly Tuesday evening, another casualty of the Enron scandal.

Joseph Berardino, CEO of Arthur Andersen LLP, said a statement, “”While my nature is to keep fighting to protect our people and our clients, the fact is that the improper shredding of documents took place on my watch — and I believe it is now in the best interests of the firm for me to step down from the CEO position.

Berardino, 52, assumed the leadership of Andersen Worldwide SC, the umbrella organization that controls the Andersen partnerships across the world, in January 2001.

Berardino said he would remain in his position over the next few days until a successor is named. An Andersen U.S. management team will provide a plan for the firm, he said.