This week’s feature delves deep into the affair, suicide and abrupt resignation that rocked the Cleveland Museum of Art.
There are multiple issues with the departure of former director David Franklin here, including what and when the museum knew of the affair and death, the Plain Dealer’s curious lack of coverage and subsequent regurgitation of the board’s version of events without so much as a question )but with plenty of chest thumping), and the willfully inept “investigation” the museum initiated into the relationship once it was tipped.
Here’s one of the anonymous letters, according to a source, that was sent to all trustees — including PD publisher Terry Egger — back in January 2013. All board members have been instructed by the museum’s lawyer not to talk to Scene, so we’ve obviously been unable to get comment on its contents.
You’ll notice Christina Gaston is mentioned by name (Kestner now says she was never asked about the relationship during the investigation because they believed Franklin when he denied the affair) and that Steve Litt, the PD’s reporter/stenographer is mentioned by name. Whether or not the author of the letter did in fact contact Litt with the accusations is unknown — multiple sources have told us he was aware of the rumors and affair for months — but by Litt’s own admission, he did not look into those rumors until after David Franklin was forced to resign.
Here’s the letter itself:
This article appears in Nov 13-19, 2013.
A powerful letter, but I can only focus on the Comic Sans. Fonts matter.
Its sad how similar the complaints the author of this letter had about the Cleveland Art Museum’s Director are to the complaints of Case Law’s students re: their new Dean. Hopefully both of their stories will serve as a warning to other Northeast Ohio institutions considering placing a misogynistic pig in a position of power.
We all recognize your handwriting, Dan Gilbert.
Every single Board member who was involved in hiring David Franklin should have the grace to resign.
As if the art museum was the only museum where directors took their choice of staff?? The natural history museum has a history of tolerating the director being latitudinal with his staff. And it was well known to the trustees who chose him..
Curious as to what the other letter or letters might have said. I love that CMA’s version of ‘investigating’ the allegations only involved asking Franklin a couple of questions and not asking Ms. Gaston or anyone else at the museum for that matter. Does it take a genius to figure out that if 2 people are involved they should at least question both people? The shock they have experienced in knowing that their one sided ‘investigation.’ yielded a lie by Franklin was obviously overwhelming all these months later? And, they “welcomed” people to come forward and hand them hard evidence? In order for those people to know they could forward, hopefully without repercussion or risk to their job, wouldn’t you first have to encourage them to do so and ask questions?
Cleveland deserves better than this. Its time to move on , and have someone with a passion for our museum and community. We don’t need someone who will bring shame to our town, but will help to re-invent it.
Well, what can be said of a letter written anonymously?? Coward, coward, coward…. Enough said about the author’s credibility.
First time I’ve read this story. Buckingham, you stole my joke. Or great minds think alike. Either way, you beat me to it.
Hey, Vasquez Kennedy, the reason it’s “anonymous” is because the person didn’t want to lose their job and/or have their professional career destroyed when the trustees and/or Franklin retaliated. Obviously. Is that “credible” enough for you?
One of the greatest art institutions in the country destroyed one of the best and most enjoyable spaces in the city (and one of the jazziest) with a barren, soulless desert that’s a cross between O’Hare Airport and the Boca Raton Mall. A decade later, I will never forgive them.
Yeah, what were they thinking? Goddam right.
Chuckles the Clown