Judy Francis Zankel has announced she will no longer include the Copper Hewitt museum in her will following the dismissal of former director, Caroline Baumann.
Zankel, who also quit the board in protest of the decision, announced that she would no longer bequeath the formerly promised sum of $5 million.
The philanthropist had previously given the museum a donation of almost $1 million across her lifetime.
She emailed the museum’s top official, Lonnie G. Bunch III, stating that the museum could no longer expect to be included in her will.
She wrote: “I find your treatment of Caroline Baumann to be unconscionable and disgraceful.”
The email, which copied in all other members of the Copper Hewitt board, referred to the entire investigation as “biased” and continued that she would no longer be gifting the museum her extensive collection following her passing.
She continued: “Although I love the museum and its work, I can no longer support an institution that functions this way.”
In a formal statement, Bunch gave thanks for Zankel’s “years of service and contributions.”
Zankel’s withdrawal of both funds, and position, follows the dismissal of the former director following an alleged conflict of interest.
Bauman was accused of using her status to purchase her wedding dress for a better price, and for a use of a Hamptons property as the wedding venue.
As the Smithsonian receives government funding, it operates under strict conflict of interest policy, which it suggests Bauman violated.
Zankel is the second donor who has changed her will in the wake of Baumann’s dismissal.
The first, Arlene Hirst, said: “I have willed a substantial amount of money to the museum — not in the same league as the trustees, but a lot for me — and I am angry enough at these trumped-up charges to change the bequest.”
The Copper Hewitt museum have said they are “focused on the future of the museum.”
