QUALLEY TIME
who donned a harlequin costume.
Kwanted to “talk about it later” when asked about the financial scandal engulfing amfAR — the AIDS charity that Cole chairs — at a starfilled Halloween gala on Saturday night. Only later never came. Earlier this month, it was alleged that longtime donor and amfAR Chairman Cole (photo inset) made an agreement that a portion of the proceeds from a glittery auction item at amfAR’s 2015 Cannes Film Festival gala be made to the American Repertory Theater, which put on a trial run of the Weinstein-produced musical “Finding Neverland” before it hit Broadway. Cole had allegedly agreed that the money raised at the ball could raise funds for both amfAR and the nonprofit theater. The auction time included a private photo shoot with shutterbug and tickets to a James Bond movie premiere and to the Golden Globes and a Golden Globes party. Four members of the amfAR board complained to state Attorney General after Cole agreed that $600,000 raised by the 2015 auction item would go to the theater company. The board members claim Cole acted improperly by not getting the deal approved by a board vote.
Longtime activist Cole attended on Saturday the Fabulous Fund Fair, presented by model which raised funds for the Naked Heart Foundation and amfAR.
Unlike most Halloween revelers, Cole was dressed in regular clothes. He quipped that he came as a “New York designer.” At first, he was happy to kibitz, chatting about coming to the event and breaking off for a moment to greet one of his three daughters with wife
But when asked about the financial imbroglio, Cole politely asked to talk after photos were taken.
After he posed for snaps, Cole raced past Confidential — presumably so he wouldn’t have to answer any questions about the mess involving amfAR and Weinstein, who is separately enmeshed in a sexual abuse scandal.
Cole issued a statement noting that Schneiderman’s office had reviewed the transaction and declined to pursue the case, although he noted: “It did, however, highlight opportunities to strengthen the governance of the organization. I am personally committed to implementing the (attorney general’s) recommendations to ensure that our fund-raising policies and procedures are never called into question again.” Keep your eyes on stunning daughter (inset) more than holds her own against acting vets and as the lead in the new film “Novitiate,” which had celebs gushing. The cast, along with producers and partied after a screening at a Miu Miusponsored party at the Lambs Club.