In a bold legal challenge, the former financial guardian of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Denise Lewis, has catapulted the institution into the limelight with accusations of high-level financial irresponsibility. Last week, Lewis unveiled a lawsuit against the esteemed museum, claiming she was ousted from her position for flagging questionable financial practices by the museum's head.
The court documents, lodged with the New York County Supreme Court, recount Lewis's confrontation with the museum's brass over alleged personal expenditures by Tim Rodgers, the current director. Lewis asserts that Rodgers inappropriately channeled museum funds to support his lifestyle, citing expenses for a second domicile in Connecticut and a lavish vacation in Mexico with his partner.
The narrative takes a twist with Lewis challenging a peculiar $600 charge for a rug for Rodgers’s Connecticut retreat. This led to an intervention by Michael Cohen, the board's chair, who advised against honoring these dubious claims. Despite this, the saga culminated in Lewis's exit from the museum in January under controversial circumstances. Allegedly pressured by Rodgers for her apparent discontent, Lewis was shown the door despite her refusal to resign voluntarily, marking an end to her tenure since 2017.
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), credit: ajay_suresh via Wikipedia
The fallout from this dispute extends beyond personal grievances, touching on professional repercussions for Lewis, who asserts that her departure was marred by the museum's failure to provide essential documents for maintaining her CPA accreditation.
The museum faces serious allegations from Lewis, who accuses the institution of acting with gross negligence and indifference. Yet, in the face of these accusations, the museum maintains its innocence, bracing for a courtroom showdown to clear its name.
The controversy also casts a shadow over the museum's leadership stability, highlighted by a reported history of rapid directorial changes, which, according to some, has eroded staff morale and trust. Rodgers's tenure, initiated in 2021, was seen as a turning point aimed at mending fences within the organization. However, Lewis's allegations suggest a continuation of internal discord, highlighted by recent staff grievances regarding bonus allocations and communication breakdowns, painting a picture of a beleaguered institution at a crossroads.
Selena Mattei