News

Museum awarded $4.6M in suit against benefactor’s caretaker

Museum awarded $4.6M in suit against benefactor’s caretaker

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A Maine art museum has won a $4.6 million court award after alleging a deceased benefactor’s caretaker manipulated her into removing the museum from her will.

The Portland Press Herald reports the jury was unanimous in its finding that Annemarie Germain coerced Eleanor Potter, a late benefactor of the Portland Art Museum, into making the change in her estate.

The museum’s lawyer, Thimi Mina, says the 89-year-old signed an estate plan making the museum a benefactor of her estate before she died in early 2015.

But shortly afterward Potter fired the lawyers who drew up her initial plan and signed a new will naming Germain her sole beneficiary.

Mina says the change in the will deprived the museum of $3.3 million of art and cash from Potter.

Latest Headlines

7 hours ago in Local

Deadly House Fire in Hiram Claims a Life

Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene of a deadly house fire in Hiram. Crews…

1 day ago in Local

Gov. Mills vetoes moratorium on new data centers in Maine

Gov. Janet Mills has vetoed a first-in-the-nation moratorium on new data centers in Maine.

1 day ago in Local

Judge gives Maine 30 days to review signatures for transgender student referendum

A judge on Friday gave the Maine Secretary of State's Office 30 days to review signatures gathered for a referendum concerning transgender students.

2 days ago in Local

Two Arrested in Months-Long Maine Drug Enforcement Investigation

Both were taken to the Somerset County Jail.

2 days ago in Local

All Residents Displaced from Biddeford Apartment Fire

The Red Cross is working with the building owner and tenants to find temporary housing.