A New York City couple is suing their son's exclusive academy, claiming school officials rigged an auction and cost the parents $50,000.

When Michelle and Jon Heinemann were unable to attend the annual silent auction at their son's $38,425-a-year Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, they allegedly gave the school permission to bid by proxy for a kindergarten class painting.  According to news reports, the artwork contained "traced-and-cut-out paper hands" of the Heinemann's son and his classmates.  In the past, such paintings have sold for between $1,200 and $3,000. 

According to the lawsuit, Ann LaForge, the school's director, placed a maximum bid on behalf of the Heinemanns at $50,000 and instructed a first-grade teacher to bid against them to raise the price. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that teachers and administrators mistreated the Heinemann's son, because "certain of the teachers and staff disliked [the Heinemanns] and the fact that [they] were generous donors to the school."

The Heinemanns are seeking $415,900 for damages, plus interest.

A spokesperson for the Cathedral School of St. John the Divine told news sources, "These allegations are sad, false and without merit. 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.”

—Source:  HuffingtonPost.com