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Former 92Y Director Sol Adler Commits Suicide

Was fired in 2012 over ‘inappropriate long-term relationship’ with his assistant

by
Stephanie Butnick
May 12, 2014

Sol Adler, the former director of Manhattan’s 92Y, hanged himself on Friday in his Brooklyn home, the New York Post reported yesterday. Adler, 60, who had helmed the cultural institution since 1988, was fired in 2012 after revelations surfaced of an “undisclosed long term personal relationship” with his assistant Catherine Marto.

Marto, then the liaison for board and donor relations, also happened to be the mother-in-law of a 92Y employee who was fired after reportedly receiving kickbacks from vendors. The married Adler’s alleged affair with Marto was uncovered during the investigation into the kickbacks, which resulted in the termination of several employees, including Marto.

Two weeks ago the 92Y announced that Henry Timms, who had been appointed interim director after Adler’s firing, would take over as executive director.

Adler’s body was discovered by his wife on Friday morning in their Seagate, Brooklyn home.

Stephanie Butnick is chief strategy officer of Tablet Magazine, co-founder of Tablet Studios, and a host of the Unorthodox podcast.