[MSN] SoHo Gallery Sues For Return Of Stolen Warhol Painting

[MSN]

SoHo Gallery Sues For Return Of Stolen Warhol Painting
February 6, 2008

NEW YORK -- An Andy Warhol painting that was stolen a decade ago has resurfaced after a man who says he bought it at a flea market tried to sell it to Christie’s auction house.

Now, the gallery from where it disappeared in 1988, the Martin Lawrence Galleries in SoHo, is suing to have it returned.

The painting of a dollar sign – one of two Warhol paintings of the dollar image -- was created in 1981.

The piece is worth at least $100,000, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in New York State Court.

The painting is now in the possession of Jason Beltrez, who said he bought the painting for $180 at a New Jersey flea market.

Last year, Beltrez tried to sell the work to Christie’s, but the painting came up listed as stolen in an international database of lost art.

But Beltrez said he bought the painting without knowing its history, and deserves to keep it or be able to sell it.

According to the New York Times, Beltrez said he found the painting at a flea market outside the Holland Tunnel in New Jersey in the mid-1990s. He said he used to go there because he was a Giants fan and a collector of Lalique and Baccarat crystal.

But, the Times said that in the past year, Beltrez, who is now unemployed, began abusing intravenous drugs and went into drug rehabilitation.

He said a friend recognized the painting was by Warhol, and offered him $40,000 for it.

Instead, he took the painting to Christie’s.

No criminal charges have been filed in the case.

http://www.wnbc.com