A Southern California couple who fell on hard times is being sued by the Kansas City Art Institute for not coming through on a $5 million pledge they made.

Larry and Kristina Dodge still owe $4 million of the donation to the art institute which constructed a $7 million new building based on their pledge.

The Dodges, who promised the money before the Great Recession crippled their insurance company and other business interests, are facing bankruptcy. Larry Dodge says he was talking to the art institute about restructuring the pledge when he was blindsided by the lawsuit.

The art institute, located across from the Nelson-Atkins Museum, contends breach of contract and unjust enrichment--based on the Dodges' name being publicized on the side of the building.

Known as major philanthropists in California, the Dodges have given tens of millions of dollars to Chapman University's Film School, the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the Ocean Institute in Dana Point and Hearst Castle.