Former HR and DEI director charged with theft for using ,000 of company funds for personal expenses on corporate credit card.

The former head of human resources and diversity initiatives at the Philadelphia Art Museum, Latasha Harling, has been charged with theft, following an alleged ,885.98 in unauthorized personal expenses charged to a company credit card. According to court records, Harling, 43, accrued these expenses over the course of her employment before failing to repay the funds.

Harling’s arrest occurred in July, approximately six months after she resigned from her position as chief people and diversity officer at the museum. The charges announced against her include theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception. This case emerges amidst a tumultuous period for the Philadelphia Art Museum, effectively intensifying scrutiny regarding its financial oversight and executive control mechanisms.

On November 4, 2025, the museum made headlines when it dismissed its director and CEO, Sasha Suda, following an investigation by an outside law firm into her compensation practices. Suda subsequently filed a lawsuit claiming her termination resulted from a conspiracy involving board members who engineered a “sham investigation” as a pretext for her dismissal. In response, the museum claimed that Suda misappropriated funds and attempted to deceive the institution about her actions. Suda’s legal representation refuted these allegations, asserting they were merely a product of the purportedly flawed investigation.

In the wake of these events, Harling did not provide any statements regarding the charges against her, while representatives from the museum similarly refrained from offering comments on the case. Harling joined the museum’s executive team in November 2023, tasked with overseeing human resources and implementing diversity initiatives while managing budgetary responsibilities.

The alleged misconduct came to light in January 2025 when museum staff discovered Harling’s credit card statement included numerous personal charges. An audit led by the museum’s chief financial officer confirmed more than ,000 in personal expenses were levied against the corporate card. Following this discovery, museum officials confronted Harling, who subsequently resigned without making arrangements to address the discrepancy.

Further negotiations resulted in Harling signing a promissory note in February 2025, agreeing to repay ,380.21 in installments. However, she failed to make any payments by April, prompting museum legal representatives to contact law enforcement regarding the ongoing situation.

As the Philadelphia criminal court continues to process the case, questions remain about the internal controls within the Philadelphia Art Museum and the circumstances surrounding recent leadership changes. The institution’s handling of these matters will likely be closely observed by stakeholders and the public alike.