The director of the Arts Institute in Chicago in Germany was held last month after being stripped of a bare drunk on the United Airlines flight-but he will now return to his high position after an internal investigation.
James Rondo is scheduled to return to work on Monday after the April 18 incident forced him to take a voluntary leave from the famous museum at the national level – where he withdraws more than a million dollars annually.
“I strongly regret this incident and its impact on the museum and I and my colleagues,” Rondo said in a statement to the CBS News.
“I 27 years of my career at the Art Institute, and I am grateful to allow the opportunity to continue to enhance her mission.”
Rondo was flying from Chicago to Munich when he was detained when landing due to his dismantling in the middle of the trip after consuming alcoholic drugs and prescriptions.
The perpetrator stated that the shameful episode prompted the museum-where Rondo is the highest-paid employee-to the launch of an independent probe during his self-imposed absence.
Despite the scandal, the museum officials said they are confident that it is able to continue leading the institution.
“The leadership of the Technical Institute in Chicago has held an independent investigation into this incident and is confident of the leadership of James Rondo and its ability to continue as president and director of the museum,” the Foundation spokesman told The Outlet.
Rondo was appointed in his role in 2016, according to the institute's website.
Join the museum – which includes about 300,000 art pieces – in 1998 as a coordinator.
