Chicago's DuSable Black History Museum CEO Misused Public Funds, Whistleblower Alleges.
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against the institution and its president and CEO, Perri Irmer, alleging misuse of public funds, harassment and retaliation. The museum is funded by the city of Chicago, a park district tax levy, as well as private donors. Kim Dulaney, a retired University of Chicago professor, joined DuSable in 2021 as director of education and programs before becoming vice president.
Dulaney claims that she was excluded from meetings, harassed and ultimately terminated in October after raising concerns about the museum's irregular fiscal practices. The lawsuit alleges that funds meant for the education department were diverted to other areas without her approval or knowledge. Dulaney also claims that she was asked to falsify reporting on grants by Irmer and board member Wendy Williams.
Irmer, who holds a law degree from the University of Chicago, has been president and CEO of DuSable since 2015. Reached directly, Irmer directed questions to a spokesperson for the museum, who asked a reporter to submit questions in writing. As of publication time, no response had been received.
The park district's Office of Inspector General was forwarded Dulaney's complaint by a spokeswoman, who declined to provide further comment until a review is completed. "We expect that our cultural partners will abide by all applicable laws and best practices," the statement read.
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Dulaney described being verbally assaulted by Irmer over a series of issues, including concerns about budget transparency. She also alleged that she was subjected to extreme anxiety and physical symptoms after sharing spaces with Irmer.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement to her role at the museum, along with back pay, attorney's fees, and a $10,000 civil penalty under the Illinois Whistleblower Act. Dulaney claims that she lodged complaints with other members of DuSable's board of trustees, including Carol Moseley Braun.
Other legal issues have been plaguing the institution. In June, a Chicago company, Atlas BPS Inc., sued the museum in breach of contract, alleging that it was not paid for management, security and janitorial services provided since 2018. A former staffer also filed a suit in 2018, alleging termination after raising concerns about how grant money was used.
Councilor Jeanette Taylor, whose ward encompasses the DuSable Museum, told the Sun-Times that the issues at the institution predate Dulaney's complaint and wishes she had spoken up publicly before being fired. Taylor acknowledged that there is no formal path for holding private institutions accountable, even if they receive public funding.
The museum was finally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 2021 after 60 years of cementing itself as an important part of Black Chicago and U.S. history. DuSable Museum is also a Smithsonian affiliate.
In November, the museum opened its "Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance" exhibition, featuring work from Black American artists who lived abroad from 1890 onward. The collection will run through early 2027 and includes iconic pieces and artifacts from Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, and James Baldwin.
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against the institution and its president and CEO, Perri Irmer, alleging misuse of public funds, harassment and retaliation. The museum is funded by the city of Chicago, a park district tax levy, as well as private donors. Kim Dulaney, a retired University of Chicago professor, joined DuSable in 2021 as director of education and programs before becoming vice president.
Dulaney claims that she was excluded from meetings, harassed and ultimately terminated in October after raising concerns about the museum's irregular fiscal practices. The lawsuit alleges that funds meant for the education department were diverted to other areas without her approval or knowledge. Dulaney also claims that she was asked to falsify reporting on grants by Irmer and board member Wendy Williams.
Irmer, who holds a law degree from the University of Chicago, has been president and CEO of DuSable since 2015. Reached directly, Irmer directed questions to a spokesperson for the museum, who asked a reporter to submit questions in writing. As of publication time, no response had been received.
The park district's Office of Inspector General was forwarded Dulaney's complaint by a spokeswoman, who declined to provide further comment until a review is completed. "We expect that our cultural partners will abide by all applicable laws and best practices," the statement read.
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Dulaney described being verbally assaulted by Irmer over a series of issues, including concerns about budget transparency. She also alleged that she was subjected to extreme anxiety and physical symptoms after sharing spaces with Irmer.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement to her role at the museum, along with back pay, attorney's fees, and a $10,000 civil penalty under the Illinois Whistleblower Act. Dulaney claims that she lodged complaints with other members of DuSable's board of trustees, including Carol Moseley Braun.
Other legal issues have been plaguing the institution. In June, a Chicago company, Atlas BPS Inc., sued the museum in breach of contract, alleging that it was not paid for management, security and janitorial services provided since 2018. A former staffer also filed a suit in 2018, alleging termination after raising concerns about how grant money was used.
Councilor Jeanette Taylor, whose ward encompasses the DuSable Museum, told the Sun-Times that the issues at the institution predate Dulaney's complaint and wishes she had spoken up publicly before being fired. Taylor acknowledged that there is no formal path for holding private institutions accountable, even if they receive public funding.
The museum was finally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 2021 after 60 years of cementing itself as an important part of Black Chicago and U.S. history. DuSable Museum is also a Smithsonian affiliate.
In November, the museum opened its "Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance" exhibition, featuring work from Black American artists who lived abroad from 1890 onward. The collection will run through early 2027 and includes iconic pieces and artifacts from Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, and James Baldwin.
! A former employee just filed a lawsuit against the DuSable Black History Museum CEO, Perri Irmer, alleging that she misused public funds 
and harassed her 
. Can you imagine if someone did this to a small business owner or a non-profit in your neighborhood? It's like, totally unacceptable.
. I mean, what's going on over there? Are they just not managed properly or is it something more? 
. Like, isn't that kind of like giving them a free pass to do whatever they want with public funds?
. She deserves justice and a chance to speak out against what she experienced. And I hope the museum gets its act together before it's too late 
.
this is so sad to hear about Kim Dulaney being treated like this she deserves way better than to be harassed and terminated for trying to do her job right 
duabley's lawsuit is a huge step towards holding the institution accountable 
gotta feel for Kim Dulaney, she went thru some serious stuff at DuSable Black History Museum 
. Using public funds for personal gain is a big no-no, especially when it's meant to support education programs 
. It's disheartening that she was harassed and retaliated against after trying to speak out 
. Can't believe the museum was able to get away with this for so long without anyone holding them accountable 
. The fact that there isn't a formal path to hold private institutions accountable when they receive public funding is just 
. More power to Kim for speaking up and seeking justice 
I'm really disappointed to hear about the allegations of misuse of public funds at the DuSable Black History Museum in Chicago. 
The fact that Perri Irmer, the CEO, allegedly diverted funds meant for education programs and asked staff to falsify grant reporting is just unconscionable. 
As Taylor said, it's disheartening to think that no one spoke up before Dulaney was fired. 
I'd love to see the iconic pieces and artifacts from Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, and James Baldwin on display. Let's hope that the museum gets its priorities straight and uses its resources for good instead of mismanagement. 
. It's like, if a public institution can't even get its own finances sorted out, how can we trust 'em to manage public funds properly?
.
.
. I mean, what were they doing all those years? How much did this cost taxpayers? $10k civil penalty just isn't gonna cut it 
. The American Alliance of Museums has to do something about this 
.
.
also what's with all these "accidents" happening around this museum? first, it's a former employee getting fired after complaining about fiscal practices... then, the park district's office of inspector general gets involved... and now, another company is suing over unpaid services 
. Can't wait to see how this all plays out in court and whether Perri Irmer's law degree will come in handy (spoiler alert: probably not).
Like, I'm not surprised that the DuSable Black History Museum is embroiled in another scandal 
. From misuse of public funds to harassment and retaliation, it's just a mess. And don't even get me started on the fact that the CEO was asked to falsify reporting on grants... 
.
And now, they're trying to silence Kim Dulaney by saying she's just some disgruntled employee... please, not buying it. 
The whole system feels broken, you know? And what about all those grants and donations that are supposed to support the museum? Are they just being used to line the pockets of the powerful?
and now shes suein em for back pay & other stuff