By Amy Zimmer
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — After National Arts Club president O. Aldon James was forced to take a "well earned vacation" in March amid a series of controversies, his first vice president on the board, Dianne Bernhard, stepped in to temporarily fill his place.
Now the board of the esteemed cultural institution at 15 Gramercy Park South will decide Thursday evening whether Bernhard will assume the mantle officially, ending James' 25-year reign.
"One of the agenda items will be the nomination to elect a president," Bernhard said in a statement. "I am honored to serve the NAC, its members and the public in any capacity that the board of governors deems appropriate."
James is currently being probed by the state Attorney General's office and Manhattan District Attorney's office for financial mismanagement. But he still lives in the club's building where he rented apartments to himself, his twin brother and a family friend at below-market rates.
He paid $1,143 a month for an apartment in the club, while his brother paid $356 a month and Steven Leitner paid $858, according to tax filings.
Many people have been subpoenaed for questioning by the law enforcement agencies, several sources said.
James has faced scrutiny since DNAinfo first reported allegations that he was secretly using club apartments to hoard antiques, art and other junk he buys at flea markets.
Neighbors also blame the self-proclaimed "Bird Man of Gramercy Park" for the death of baby zebra finches that littered the park in March. He had admitted buying the birds but denied setting them free.
As soon as Bernhard — who rents an apartment in the club for $7,600 a month — took the helm, she rolled up her sleeves to start cleaning out many of the rooms.
She has said that the board was cooperating with investigators.
