Art collector in Warhol theft unhappy with LAPD

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The Los Angeles art collector whose works by Andy Warhol were reported stolen from his home in September has publicly criticized the L.A. Police Department for its handling of the case.

Richard L. Weisman, 69, is a noted art collector who lives on the westside of L.A. In September, it was reported that 11 brightly colored silk-screen paintings by Warhol were stolen from his home. The theft includes 10 portraits of famous athletes and one of Weisman, who was a friend of Warhol’s.

In an interview published by The Times today, Weisman said: “Maybe if they would do their job … and spent some time looking for the art instead of being accusatory of the person who had it stolen, they might actually find it.’

Last week, Weisman was reported to have canceled his $25-million insurance policy that covered the works by Warhol. He stated that his reason for dropping the insurance payout was that he wanted to avoid the prying of the insurance company into his personal matters.

But his decision seems to have only provoked the curiosity of the LAPD into Weisman’s affairs.

Click here to read the full story at the L.A. Now blog.

-- David Ng