john amman stole a painting, sent it to Doyle Auction HOuse NYC, without permission, sold it for 1/4 of its value and kept the money, while teling me it was out for approval palm beach florida, Florida
I purchased a painting from Phillips Gallery, Palm Beach Florida in 2000. In 2009 I consigned two paintings to John Amman to be sold. He told me that large painting 48 x 48 would get me a minimum of $40,000, and the smaller one would be sold for $4,500.
After a asked for the paintings returned, he said that the smaller one was just sold and the larger one was out on approval. I went down to Palm Beach from DC, went to his gallery and he promised me a check in two days.
The larger one he had hanging in the gallery. He did give me a check, that bounced, and after I sent him a letter with the Florida criminal statute aboutbad checks, he made good on the check. He also said that the larger painting would be sold within a month or two.
In December, 10 months later, I wrote and told him to return the painting or the money. I went down again in February, he told me the check from the buyer was in the mail. I googled the painting and found out that he sold the painting at Doyle Auction House in N.Y. for $7,000.00.
I went to the police in Palm Beach and they took a report, but said it was a civil matter and did nothing. Luckily I had insurance on the painting and collected the amount I paid for it, then the insurance company cancelled my policy.