Philadelphia Art Museum Accuses Former Director of Theft

"The administrative whirlwind at the Philadelphia Art Museum (PhAM) continues. After former Director and CEO Alexandra "Sasha" Suda filed a complaint accusing the museum of unlawful termination, PhAM is countering with its own legal filing, alleging that Suda misappropriated thousands of dollars in museum funds. On November 20, the museum filed a petition with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to shift the conflict out of the courts and into the hands of a confidential arbitrator."

"The move was in response to Suda's lawsuit against the museum on November 10, six days after she was terminated. Last week, PhAM announced that former Metropolitan Museum of Art leader Daniel Weiss would be its next director and CEO. In her complaint, Suda claimed that a "small, corrupt faction of the [museum] board" had commissioned an external law firm to conduct a "sham investigation" into her expenses and recommended her resignation."

"But the museum's motion alleges that between March 2024 and July 2025, Suda awarded herself three unauthorized salary increases without disclosure or approval. In a statement to Hyperallergic, a PhAM spokesperson confirmed that the museum filed the petition in response to Suda's claims and declined to comment further. Luke Nikas, Suda's lawyer, said in an emailed statement to Hyperallergic that "the motion, as well as its false narrative, fits the Museum's longstanding pattern of trying to cover up its misconduct and mistreatment of staff.""

Alexandra "Sasha" Suda was terminated as director and CEO of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Six days after her dismissal she filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful termination and claiming a board faction commissioned a sham investigation into her expenses. On November 20 the museum petitioned the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to move the dispute to confidential arbitration and alleges that Suda misappropriated thousands of dollars by awarding herself three unauthorized salary increases between March 2024 and July 2025 without disclosure or approval. A museum spokesperson declined further comment. Suda’s lawyer called the museum’s motion a false narrative and accused the board of mistreating staff. Daniel Weiss was named the museum’s incoming director and CEO.

Read at Hyperallergic