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Philadelphia Museum of Art Accuses Ex-Director Sasha Suda of Misappropriation, Seeks Arbitration

Trustees say a Kirkland & Ellis probe into allegedly unauthorized raises led to her Nov. 4 removal for cause.

Overview

  • In a Nov. 20 filing, the museum alleged Suda misappropriated funds and lied during a trustee-led investigation.
  • The petition claims she took self-approved salary increases in March and July 2024 and again in July 2025, exceeding her $720,000 contracted base.
  • Suda and her lawyer deny the accusations, calling the probe a sham and asserting the raises were 3% cost-of-living adjustments totaling about $39,000 over two years.
  • The museum asked the court to compel arbitration of the dispute, while Suda seeks a jury trial and two years’ salary plus damages.
  • A special committee hired Kirkland & Ellis, interviewed about 20 people, and the museum has now named Daniel H. Weiss as director and CEO.