Jury Takes Up Case of Former Sotheby’s Chief

A jury completed its first day of deliberations in New York City without a verdict in the trial of a former Sotheby’s chairman accused of conspiring with the auction house’s chief competitor to rip off sellers of fine art.

Federal prosecutors accused A. Alfred Taubman of scheming with former Christie’s Chairman Anthony Tennant to steal as much as $400 million in commissions paid by sellers from 1993 to 1999.

If convicted, Taubman could face up to three years in prison.

Sotheby’s pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to pay $45 million. Christie’s was granted amnesty for its cooperation.