Art Museum President Stripped Off Clothes On Plane, Under Investigation: Reports

CHICAGO — The president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago is the subject of an investigation, during which he is voluntarily stepping back from his job, after a report surfaced last week that he recently stripped off his clothes on an airplane.

James Rondeau was a passenger on an April 18 flight from Chicago to Munich by United Airlines, according to CBS News Chicago, which reported, citing unnamed sources, that police responded to the plane after Rondeau disrobed. Rondeau had consumed alcohol and prescription medication before the incident, according to the report.

“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 a prepared statement, adding that Rondeau would be voluntarily taking time away from the office during the investigation.

Rondeau was appointed president and director of the museum in 2016.