N.Y. Law Lets Art Be Seized for Probes
Gov. George Pataki signed legislation Thursday making it easier for prosecutors to seize artwork on display in New York while they investigate whether it was stolen from Holocaust victims during World War II.
The law allows any work of art loaned by a nonresident for exhibition in New York state to be seized when it is part of a criminal investigation. New York City considers itself a global art center and its museums, which rely on loaned art for their exhibits, fought hard to keep the measure from becoming law.
The old arts and cultural affairs law gave artwork immunity from seizure in both civil and criminal actions. By keeping the immunity for artwork in civil actions, such as debt collection, the state will stay “the most protective” in the United States, Pataki said.
“The new law adds another tool in our ongoing effort to seek justice for Holocaust survivors and their relatives,” the governor said in a statement.
The measure has a sunset provision allowing it to expire on June 1, 2002.
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