Wealthy parents sue son's school for $415k after they are charged $50k to buy a kindergarten class f

June 2024 · 3 minute read

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A wealthy Manhattan couple are suing their son's school for almost half a million dollars after they accused them of rigging a fund-raising auction so it could charge them $50,000 for a finger painting.

Upper East Side socialite Michelle Heinemann and her investment banker husband Jon are suing the Cathedral School of St John the Divine, which their son Hudson Cornelius Heinemann attended until recently.

The couple removed their son from the school and are suing for $415,000 plus damages - which includes  $20,000 tuition to a new school, forfeited class fees for his little sister Hyacinth Cornelia and Hudson’s $60,000-a-year chauffeur, whose job they want to save.

Socialite family from left: Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Hudson Cornelius, Hyacinth Cornelia and father Jon Heinemann who are suing the Cathedral School of St John the Devine

Socialite family from left: Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Hudson Cornelius, Hyacinth Cornelia and father Jon Heinemann who are suing the Cathedral School of St John the Devine

The Cathedral of St John the Divine: The couple removed their son from the school and are suing for $415,000 plus damages - which includes $20,000 tuition to a new school

The Cathedral of St John the Divine: The couple removed their son from the school and are suing for $415,000 plus damages - which includes $20,000 tuition to a new school

Tuition for the school runs at $39,000 a year.

The trouble started after a March 1 school fundraiser charity auction. The Heinemann's donated $6,000 worth of 'designer clothing items' to the auction, according to the New York Post.

Mrs Heinemann - who has been described as a 'renowned artist' - worked with her son's kindergarten class to create a piece of art that would be sellable.

The 30-by-30-inch finger painting consists of the traced and cut-out hands of Hudson and his 17 classmates painted and stuck to the paper.

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The couple agreed they would place the winning bid - which they priced at $3,000 tops according to the suit - but wouldn't be able to attend the auction.

The 30-by-30-inch finger painting consists of the traced and cut-out hands of Hudson and his 17 classmates painted and stuck to the paper

Art: The 30-by-30-inch finger painting consists of the traced and cut-out hands of Hudson and his 17 classmates painted and stuck to the paper

But the school’s director of advancement had a first-grade teacher named Ms Bryant drive the bid up to 'the outrageous sum of $50,000', the suit alleges.

'The Heinemanns tried to settle this matter without a lawsuit, but the cathedral had no interest in taking responsibility for their actions,' said family spokesman R. Couri Hay.

Officials at the school released a statement saying: 'These allegations are sad, false and without merit. Regarding the artwork at the auction, no money was asked of or received from the family.

'The Cathedral School has a more than 100-year reputation of excellence in education and service to its students and demonstrates a profound respect for the dignity and equality of every child.'  

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