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Philadelphia Museum of Art Alleges Theft by Ousted Director in Bid to Force Arbitration

Sasha Suda rejects the accusations, saying the contested pay increases were authorized cost-of-living adjustments.

Overview

  • Suda was terminated for cause on Nov. 4 and filed a wrongful‑dismissal suit less than a week later seeking a jury trial and damages.
  • The museum’s Nov. 20–21 petition accuses her of awarding herself unauthorized salary increases effective March 1, 2024, July 2024, and July 2025 after raise requests were denied.
  • Trustees say a seven‑member special committee, advised by Kirkland & Ellis, interviewed about 20 people and concluded she violated her contract and was dishonest.
  • Suda and her lawyer call the filing false and a pretext, asserting the changes were budgeted cost‑of‑living adjustments totaling about $39,000 over two years.
  • The museum is asking the court to compel arbitration of the dispute and has named former Met leader Daniel H. Weiss as its new director and CEO.