Précis
After learning that a painting she had entrusted to a reputable art dealer for purposes of lending it to a museum exhibition had been sold by the dealer without her permission, the plaintiff, Kerstin Lindholm, brought this action against the buyer, Peter Brant, for
conversion
A civil wrong (tort) in which one converts another's property to his own use; in other words, “stealing.” Conversion includes treating another's goods as one's own, holding onto such property which accidentally comes into the taker’s hands, or purposely giving the impression that the assets belong to the taker. This gives the true owner the right to sue for his own property or the value and loss of use of it, as well recourse to law enforcement authorities, since conversion usually includes the crime of theft (http://dictionary.law.com).
conversion,
replevin
A legal action in which an original owner seeks to recover possession of property wrongfully taken or retained by another party.
replevin, conspiracy to commit
fraud
The intentional use of deceit, a trick or some dishonest means to deprive another of his money, property or legal right, either as a cause of action or as a fatal element in the action itself.
fraud, statutory theft and violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. Brant argued that he was a “buyer in the ordinary course” and entitled to keep the painting. . . .
