Metropolitan Museum leaders are con artists: Suit claims deceptive admissions signs mislead public into paying for museum that’s free to the public

Posted on By october
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has been sued again over illegal 'admission fees' scheme. The class action suit demands millions in damages.

By AND / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

The Met’s admission policy is as deceptive as an M.C. Escher sketch — duping millions of people into paying entrance fees even though it’s supposed to be free, a new lawsuit charges.

A trio of disgruntled museumgoers have filed a class action suit, saying they want the famed art house to cough up their cash.

Filip Saska and Tomas Nadrchal, both of the Czech Republic, and Stephen Michelman, of Manhattan, say the Metropolitan Museum of Art engages in an intentional campaign of misdirection that includes misleading signage and fraudulent marketing.

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For instance, the museum’s ticket booths list admission prices of $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $12 for students, with the word “recommended” appearing in tiny lettering under a large, bold “Admissions” sign, the suit says.

“We have obtained evidence which makes clear to us that the museum is actively misleading the public and that members of museum’s leadership are fully aware of that fact,” said lawyer Michael Hiller.

The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, comes four months after a similar suit that sought a court order barring the museum from “defrauding” the public.

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Museum spokesman Harold Holzer ripped the suit as a “second attempt for publicity around the same baseless lawsuit that was filed a few months ago.”

Some art lovers leaving the museum Wednesday said they were confused by the Met’s admission policies.

“I paid $12, the student price,” said Leandro Morone, 30, a student from Argentina.

“I didn’t realize I didn’t need to pay until I was inside. I realized when I was reading the museum map. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have paid.”

Anneka Lenssen, 33, said she once tried to walk in without paying but got hell from a worker.

“I asked to pay nothing and the attendant tried to shame me,” the city student said. “She said she didn’t know how to enter a no-sale into the computer and told me I had to go to another line.”