U.S. Files Reply to Museum’s Suit
- Share via
The U.S. Department of Justice has submitted a pro forma reply to the Newport Harbor Art Museum in the first round of action regarding the museum’s lawsuit against the National Endowment for the Arts over the so-called obscenity pledge required of 1990 NEA grantees.
The government disputes none of the facts in the case as put forth by the museum--that the museum applied for four NEA grants totaling $100,000 and won them and that it won’t receive the money unless it signs a pledge that the grant won’t be used to show obscene work.
But the legal question remains: Is the restriction constitutional? The government says it is.
Within two weeks, the museum is expected to file a motion for summary judgment on Dec. 17 in Los Angeles Federal Court. On that same date, a parallel suit by the Bella Lewitzky Dance Company of Los Angeles is being heard.
James V. Selna, a Newport Harbor trustee and an attorney for the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers, which is representing the museum, said that if Newport Harbor loses the judgment it “probably” would appeal.
This year, NEA grants make up slightly more than 5% of the museum’s $1.8-million budget.
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
