Scott Thompson, Yahoo Inc Chief Executive, stepped down on Sunday, as a result of the controversy surrounding his embellished academic record.

Thompson has been accused of padding his biography by faking a computer science degree.

Yahoo did not give a reason for Thompson’s exit.

Ross B. Levinsohn, the company’s current head of global media, will be interim CEO.

Levinsohn has been with Yahoo Inc since late 2010.

Before joining Yahoo, he was the president of News Corporation’s Fox Interactive Media, where he was in charge of strategy and deals.

He also held senior positions at AltaVista, CBS Sportsline and HBO.

His most notable accomplishment was News Corporation’s $580 mln takeover of MySpace, which was one of the fastest-growing Web properties at the time.

Levinsohn is expected to focus on increasing Yahoo’s media business and improving its relationships with advertisers.

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Nicole Siena is an intern for the  Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at  @nicolesiena

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