Whistleblower Alleges Financial Misconduct at Palm Springs Art Museum

Leadership at California's Palm Springs Art Museum has been accused of financial misconduct by an anonymous whistleblower, who reported issues such as improper fund transfers and mismanagement of endowment resources. The allegations, directed to Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, claim that since 2007, $544,403 has been improperly moved from the acquisition fund. Treasurer Richard Cain reportedly reclassified $947,160 in 2019 and $3,154,596 in 2020 from restricted to unrestricted funds without proper authorization. Auditor Maryanov Madsen Gordon Campbell resigned in 2020 due to concerns. Between 2020 and 2025, the museum sold $7.8 million in art, misallocating the proceeds. In July 2025, deputy director Jack Peirce violated withdrawal limits by transferring $267,000 from the investment account. The endowment plummeted from $42.3 million in 2006 to $12.1 million by 2024, prompting board members Patsy Marino and Kevin Comer to resign in protest. A special committee has been established to investigate the matter.