Thanks for the gift, Mr. Oligarch, but no thanks

Organizations of all stripes have moved to distance themselves from Russia, after its invasion of Ukraine, launched Feb. 24. The Wilma Theater followed the trend, ending a partnership with an arts group backed by a leading Russian oligarch.

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— Ezequiel Minaya(@zekeminaya, business@inquirer.com)

The Wilma Theater ended a partnership this month with an arts group backed by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich that was supporting the debut of a play in Philadelphia.

The break, over a local production of The Cherry Orchard, is another sign of the difficulties of being associated with Abramovich, after the United Kingdom froze his assets there in sanctions issued March 10. Officials cited Abramovich’s “close relationship” with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Canada and the European Union followed with their own economic restrictions on the businessman.

Until then, Abramovich’s money and charitable contributions had been long accepted by Western institutions. He had become a familiar name as owner of English soccer team Chelsea — one of the world’s richest clubs — and as a prolific donor to Jewish organizations and as an arts patron in Israel, Russia, and elsewhere.

Now, gifts from Abramovich and other wealthy donors perceived to be close to Putin’s regime are coming under intense scrutiny.

Read more about the Wilma Theater and Roman Abramovich here.

Reading the tea leaves: Handicapping the economic outlook has suddenly become difficult. Will our strong economic recovery evolve into a self-sustaining expansion? Or is the economy headed into recession? Odds are still better than even that the economy will return to full employment by late this year, Moodys’ economist Mark Zandi writes.

Freebies for workers Catered lunches, gym memberships, and transit passes are just a few of the free perks that Philadelphia-area employers are dangling to lure new workers and retain current ones.

Weed prices are too high: The average wholesale price for a gram of medical cannabis leaf in Pennsylvania has fallen 36% since the beginning of 2020. But the average retail price that patients pay is down only 14% over the same period.

Benefits Data Trust, a Philadelphia nonprofit that helps people overcome barriers to government benefits for food, housing, and health care, received a $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.