This is why drugs and alcohol don't mix! The head of a prominent Chicago art museum is under investigation after allegedly stripping during a flight to Europe. Police were called to a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Munich, after reports that James Rondeau, the president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago, stripped naked on the flight. Allegedly, he consumed (too much) alcohol and prescription meds beforehand.
The Art Institute confirmed the accuracy of the CBS report to USA TODAY. "The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information," the museum said in an emailed statement.
James is taking a voluntary leave from work pending the investigation’s completion. Both the Munich airport and United airlines declined to comment.
Rondeau has led the museum since 2016, according to its website. He previously served as the Dittmer Chair and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and as associate curator of contemporary art.