Legal Setback for Opponents of Maier Museum Sales

The Circuit Court of Lynchburg, VA, yesterday ruled against the opponents of the Maier Museum’s art sales. It rejected their request that the court reduce or eliminate the $10-million bond they must post by tomorrow, to make permanent the court’s temporary injunction against impending auctions of four paintings by Christie’s later this month.
“Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the plaintiffs will be able to raise such a large sum of money in such a short time period,” said Anne Yastremski, executive director of Preserve Educational Choice, the organization fighting the sales.
Anthony Troy, a former Virginia Attorney General who is representing the litigants, said that the matter would be “taken immediately to the Supreme Court of Virginia.”
Troy added:
Injunction or no, if we prevail on the merits of the case next year—and it is shown that [Randolph] College holds the art for the benefit of the citizens of Lynchburg and students—then further litigation focusing on the return of the art will commence with those that purchase these paintings.
That’s playing hardball—an attempt to discourage buyers with the threat of possible future litigation.
Christa Desrets of the Lynchburg News & Advance has more on the story here.