Caroline Baumann resigned from Cooper Hewitt after wedding investigation
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum director Caroline Baumann stepped down from her role after an investigation into her conduct acquiring a wedding dress and venue.
The New York Times has reported that Baumann resigned following an investigation into a complaint made over a potential conflict of interest during her role as director.
According to the New York Times, the investigation focused on the amount she paid for a wedding dress from the fashion designer Samantha Sleeper, and the East Hampton location where the wedding was held.
Probe into cost of designer dress
The Cooper Hewitt, considered the country's most significant design museum, is partly funded by the US government.
Its conflict of interest policy states "employees shall not solicit or accept any gift from any source that is, or appears to be, offered because the employee holds a Smithsonian position or may have influence within the Smithsonian".
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A post shared by Caroline Baumann (@baumstagram) on Sep 18, 2018 at 7:16pm PDT
Sleeper told the New York Times that federal agents questioned her over the cost of the silver sheath dress she custom made for Baumann.
"I did not give her a discount nor did she ask for a discount," Sleeper told the newspaper, explaining the garment was less expensive than a wedding gown because it was a cocktail dress.
Questions over free wedding venue
Baumann's wedding to branding co...
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