Press Release: April 28, 2003 Los Angeles, CA

The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has voted to deny the Republic of Austria's petition to rehear and reconsider its earlier decision upholding the right of 87-year-old Maria Altmann to pursue her claims in federal court for the recovery of six looted paintings by Gustav Klimt valued at $150 million. Austria's petition had been joined by the United States government, which argued against the precedent set by the unanimous decision in Mrs. Altmann's favor issued by a three-judge panel on December 12, 2002. The Panel's April 28, 2003 Order concludes:
 

"The full court has been advised of the petition for rehearing en banc and no judge has requested a vote on whether to rehear the matter en banc. The petition for panel rehearing and the petition for rehearing en banc are DENIED. No further petitions for rehearing will be entertained."

"This is yet another huge victory for Mrs. Altmann and for the justness of her claims," stated Mrs. Altmann's attorney E. Randol Schoenberg of Burris & Schoenberg, LLP in Los Angeles, California. "The case is now several years old and we are eager to try the case on the merits."

Mrs. Altmann filed suit in Los Angeles federal court in August, 2000. Austria's jurisdictional motions and appeals have tied up the case since that time.

For further information on the case, please see http://www.adele.at.