Getty Responds to Phoenix Lawsuit

From Ron Hartwig, Vice President, Communications, J. Paul Getty Trust on lawsuit filed by Phoenix Ancient Art, Electrum and Regulus International Capital Corp.:

"The claims set forth in the lawsuit are baseless.  The Getty was offered an opportunity to discuss a possible transfer of ownership of ancient sculptures in a private collection.  The Getty declined the acquisition and the objects were later transferred to the Italian government.  We do not understand how the transfer of ownership from an Italian family to the Italian government, which will display the collection in its many wonderful museums, is cause for a lawsuit against the Getty. Plaintiffs cannot plausibly demand payment for a deal that never occurred. While we believe that the complaint should be dismissed, if necessary we will vigorously defend our position."

See previous post on the Phoenix lawsuit. (Shown, Roman portraits in the Torlonia collection.)