Posted on 05/31/2025 2:26:05 PM PDT by DFG
The Art Institute of Chicago announced that its director is expected to return to work after he was shockingly arrested for allegedly stripping down on a flight to Germany.
James Rondeau is set to go back to work on Monday following an embarrassing display on a United Airlines flight to Munich from Chicago on April 18.
Police were called as the flight landed following reports of Rondeau - the institute's highest-paid employee, making over $1million in 2023 - stripping off his clothes after drinking alcohol and taking prescription medication.
Rondeau, who has since been on 'voluntary leave' from the museum, released a statement apologizing for the incident.
'I deeply regret this incident and the impact it has had on the museum and me and on my colleagues,' Rondeau said, according to the New York Times.
'I have dedicated the past 27 years of my professional career to the Art Institute and I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue furthering its mission.'
The museum began an independent investigation into the incident, and said at the time that it 'takes this very seriously'.
In a statement to the NYT on Thursday, the institute said that board leadership is 'confident in James Rondeau's leadership and ability to continue as the president and director'.
Rondeau was appointed to the position in 2016 after he worked with the institution in 1998 as associate curator of contemporary art.
A prominent collector, Pamela Joyner, stepped down from the board not two weeks ago to focus on other board in New York and San Francisco, she told the NYT.
Joyner told the outlet she felt it inappropriate to weigh in Rondeau's controversy, but said 'that board has work ahead of it that I don't have time to do effectively'.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
A shame Salma Hayek didn’t get the job.
She’s intelligent and well read.
$1 million a year? In Chicago, for running a museum?
Where does he think he is, California?
Look for San Francisco to do some heavy $$-lobbying-$$ to get this guy to Kalifornia. Fits right in.
What was the medication? I have a wedding to go to in a few weeks.
He combined prescription medication with alcohol.
Which one?
Stripping on a plane? How is that a crime?
I am surprised that we aren’t forced to fly naked to prevent terrorist from taking weapons on board.
I Googled the story and looked at about a dozen sources for this incident. All of the articles just say “prescription medication”.
“Police were called as the flight landed following reports of Rondeau - the institute’s highest-paid employee, making over $1million in 2023 - stripping off his clothes after drinking alcohol and taking prescription medication.”
Hey look at the bright side. At least it wasn’t Hillary the passengers had to view.
Generally speaking - those high level positions, especially in art museums, are for those who are “good earners” - ie., they have the pull to get the donations, grants, etc.
To be paid this much, he must be a VERY GOOD ‘earner’. Perhaps he spent too much time around the filthy rich and thought he could mimic their private aircraft antics on his commercial flight?
Darn it, I’ll just have to settle for drinking at the wedding. Thanks.
You know, while there’s a lot of good things happening lately, it’s stuff like this that truly gives me pause about just how long this country can survive.
The rot is so deep.
Well, maybe he's about to become a great earner! After all it's for ART!
The Art Institute is a fine museum, or anyway used to be.
And THC likely
Homo?
lol... where are the broads on this thread!!?? you would figure they would be “Guilty - not Guilty’ng” this guy!!
And she can dance… with tequila too.
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