Another Getty Trust Update

On several prior occasions, I have reported on the problems facing the Getty Trust.  Here is some additional material as reported in Did Getty museum purchase looted art?, CNN.com, Oct. 30, 2005:

The board of the J. Paul Getty Trust has formed a special committee to investigate claims that its world-renowned museum purchased looted art and its chief executive spent lavishly with tax-exempt funds. * * * The special committee will examine the trust's policies and procedures and make recommendations to the full board.

The $9-billion trust and its J. Paul Getty museum are under intense scrutiny: The Greek and Italian governments have claimed the museum bought ancient artworks that had been smuggled out of those countries. The museum has denied wrongdoing but in 1999 it returned three pieces to Italy, including a fifth century B.C. drinking cup.

The creation of the committee reflects a commitment to meet "all legal requirements as well as the highest ethical standards while carrying out the trust's mission," John Biggs, chairman of the trust's board and head of the new committee, said in a statement.

Special thanks to David S. Luber for referring me to this article.