Christie’s Sues Halsey Minor for $7 Million on Artworks

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - Christie's claims Halsey Minor owes it more than $7 million for three artworks he agreed to buy in July 2008, including works by Anthony van Dyck and George Stubbs. The auction house claims Minor, who founded CNET, knew when he bid "that he did not have sufficient resources to pay for the Artworks at the time of the bidding at Christie's and that he would not have such resources at the time payment was due."

Christie's claims Minor was top bidder for "A Rearing Stallion" by Anthony van Dyck and "Antinous" by George Stubbs on July 8, 2008, and for Thomas Stringer's "Flying Childers Held by a Groom" on July 9. The total purchase price was $7,032,160.82, Christie's says. It wants the money.

Sotheby's sued Minor in Manhattan Federal Court last year, claiming he refused to pay more than $14 million for three other paintings he bought at auction.

Christie's is represented in Federal Court by Rita Haeusler with Hughes Hubbard & Reed.

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