Investigations and Leadership Clash Roil Century-Old Culture Group
January 23, 2012 | Read Time: 1 minute
The National Arts Club, a genteel New York institution that has aimed to support artists and connect them with wealthy patrons since the late 19th century, has been riven by a leadership battle and multiple investigations into the behavior and financial practices of its previous heads, writes The New York Times.
Dianne Bernhard, the club’s president, led a group of board members who ousted her predecessor, O. Aldon James Jr., in June. The board is now seeking to evict Mr. James, the president for 26 years; his twin brother; and a longtime friend from units in a residential building adjoining the club’s plush headquarters on Gramercy Park.
Critics claim Mr. James used the nonprofit group’s money to make hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of personal purchases and that he, his brother, and their friend cost it $1.5-million in rental income by commandeering vacant apartments in the next-door building to store his possessions. The club is also being investigated by state and city authorities.
The Jameses and Steven Leitner, the friend, have denied the allegations. Aldon James is suing to block a disciplinary hearing and to remove some club officers—including Ms. Bernhard, whom he brought to the group and introduced into its leadership—from their posts.
