The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office has filed an appeal against a judge’s ruling this week allowing the sale of 40 artworks at the Berkshire Museum to go forward.
Democrat Maura Healey’s office says Berkshire Superior Court Judge John Agostini mishandled an earlier request for an injunction, according to The Berkshire Eagle.
The museum in Pittsfield wants to sell the art, including pieces by Norman Rockwell, to fund an expansion and an endowment. Healey’s office had joined members of the Rockwell family in seeking to stop the auction, which is set for Monday.
The Berkshire Museum's legal counsel issued the following statement Friday afternoon.
"We are disappointed that the Attorney General has decided to continue legal action that threatens the future of the Berkshire Museum, particularly after a very clear legal decision rejected the arguments the Attorney General repeats in this misguided appeal," attorney William F. Lee said. "Continuing this litigation jeopardizes vital educational, cultural and economic resources in a struggling community, placing the special interests of a portion of the well-funded arts community over people, especially young people, really in need. We look forward to the swift resolution of this matter by the Appeals Court."
See more of WAMC's coverage of the Berkshire Museum's planned sale here.
