Ex-Philadelphia Museum of Art Executive Pleads Guilty to $30K Card Fraud

A former Philadelphia Museum of Art executive pleaded guilty on Friday to receiving stolen property, admitting she charged approximately $30,000 in personal purchases to museum credit cards, the Inquirer reports.

Latasha Harling, 44, the museum's former chief people and diversity officer, entered the plea in Common Pleas Court, averting a trial that had been scheduled for the same day.

What was the sentence?

Judge Leon King II sentenced Harling to five years of probation for the misdemeanor offense. King also ordered her to pay the museum $30,000 in restitution, in monthly installments of at least $500, beginning in January.

There is an incentive built into the deal. If Harling pays the full amount before her probation ends, she may request early termination of her probation.

How did the scheme come to light?

Harling joined the museum in November 2023 as its inaugural chief people officer, overseeing human resources and diversity initiatives. Her budgetary responsibilities included access to corporate credit cards, the Inquirer noted.

Museum officials grew suspicious in January 2025. They had been alerted to a series of significant, seemingly personal purchases on her credit card statements, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in connection with her arrest.

An audit by the museum's chief financial officer followed. It found Harling had charged $58,885 in personal expenses to the card since her hiring — nearly double the amount at issue in her plea.

What happened after the audit?

The museum offered Harling the chance to repay $32,565, the affidavit states. She resigned shortly thereafter, with the credit card expenses still outstanding.

The museum then pursued recovery. The following February, Harling signed a promissory note agreeing to repay $19,380 over three months. After receiving no payments by April, the museum contacted police.

At $500 per month, the restitution ordered Friday would take five full years to complete — the exact length of her probation term — unless she pays faster.

What has the museum said?

A museum spokesperson said in a statement that its officials are "grateful that the case" is resolved. "We look forward to returning our focus to the exhibitions, programs, and experiences we provide for our community," the statement continued.

The plea closes a case that began with a routine review of card statements and ended with a criminal conviction for a senior hire made barely a year before the fraud was discovered.