Billionaire business titan Ronald Perelman, 72, who became the hall’s chairman in February, has accused the iconic venue’s executive director of improper financial management and its board of poor oversight, according to a report.
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Perelman’s letter called for a meeting on September 17 of the board’s audit and executive committees to discuss the need for an investigation and other changes. He was reinstated the next day by the board’s executive committee, but under the condition that an independent investigator be appointed to investigate concerns about the way Gillinson was running the hall.
Peter Kramer/Getty Images Perelman complained to Clive Gillinson, who is Carnegie Hall’s executive, about the lack of transparency.
At the time, Mr. Gillinson said he was “excited to begin our work together” and described Mr. Perelman in a statement as “a dedicated member of our board’s leadership, a passionate music lover, and someone who is deeply committed to Carnegie Hall”.
Len Blavatnik. Blavatnik also owns Warner Music Group. Perelman wrote that the prize represents the kind of related-party transactions that require more transparency and that Gillinson defied a request to put the prize on hold after the board sought advice from lawyer Jason Lilien. Carnegie Hall did not immediately return requests seeking comment.
The prize grants $100,000, a showcase performance at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall and the chance to record for the Warner Classics record label to a classical musician aged 18 to 35, according to a November 2014 press release from Warner Music. There is value conferred upon Warner Music by its association with Carnegie Hall through the prize, Mr. Perelman said.
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Over the years Mr. Perelman has engaged in a number of legal battles, including lawsuits targeting investment bank Morgan Stanley and art-dealer Larry Gagosian.
