via facsimile: 011-43-1-533-7797

Fr. Bundesministerin Elisabeth Gehrer
Minoritenplatz 5
A-1014 Wien

Re: Estate

Sehr geehrte Frau Bundesministerin:

 Since my September 13, 1998 letter to you ( a copy of which is attached), my clients and I have learned that an attorney in Vienna, Dr. Franz Sturm, had previously made some preliminary communications with your office in May of this year concerning the Bloch-Bauer Estate. Dr. Sturm made his inquiries at the behest of Thea Bentley, the first wife of the late Robert Bentley (heir of one quarter of the Bloch-Bauer Estate).  Mrs. Bentley gave Dr. Sturm the mistaken impression that she was speaking on behalf of the entire Bloch-Bauer family, which was unfortunately not true.  In fact, Mrs. Bentley does not claim any interest in the Bloch-Bauer Estate, but was making the inquiry on behalf of her son and four grandchildren, who are potentially the beneficiaries of the estate of Robert Bentley.

 I have met with and spoken to Mrs. Maria Altmann (heir of one quarter of the Bloch-Bauer Estate) in Los Angeles, and have spoken and communicated with the daughter (Nelly) and son (Francis) of Louise Gutmann (heir of one half of the Bloch-Bauer Estate), who passed away in April of the year, as well as Mrs. Gutmann's son-in-law and executor, all of whom live in Canada. All of them have directly and personally authorized me to communicate with you on their behalf.  They have not hired any other attorneys for this matter.

 With regard to the estate of Robert Bentley, I am in contact with John Dobbin of Vancouver, Canada, the attorney for the estates of Mr. Bentley and his late second wife, Hylda.  Mr. Dobbin is discussing the situation with the heirs of Robert and Hylda Bentley and is attempting to clarify the legal rights of the parties. As it is my belief that the family will be best served if 100% of the Bloch-Bauer Estate is unified and acts together, I expect also to be representing Mr. Dobbin, who is the successor executor of the estate of Robert Bentley, and perhaps the beneficiaries of the estate, but that relationship has not been finalized as of this date.

 Lastly, I wish to correct a small error in my previous letter.  Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer died in November 1945, not 1946.

 It is my fervent hope and desire that the interests of the heirs in the entire Bloch-Bauer Estate can be settled with the Republic of Austria in this manner, without the need to retain counsel or institute legal action in Austria. Mrs. Altmann, while in relatively good health, hopes that a settlement can be concluded in the very near future, so that, unlike her sister, she may live to see the day when her family is compensated for the property taken from them during and after the war.

 I look forward to hearing from you very soon regarding the many questions in my previous letter.

   Very truly yours,

   E. Randol Schoenberg, Esq.

Attachment
cc:  Dr. Franz Sturm (via fax 011-43-1-512-6414)
bcc: Mrs. Maria Altmann
Dr. Nelly Auersperg
Francis Gutmann
Philip Altmann, Esq.
John Dobbin, Esq.
Steven D. Alexander, Esq.

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