Museum Loses Bid for Dismissal of Lawsuit Challenging Merger
A Superior Court judge Thursday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against the Orange County Museum of Art and fined the museum $4,000 to cover legal fees spent by the plaintiffs.
The motions to dismiss Motivated Museum Members’ lawsuit, which seeks to overturn the merger that formed the museum last year, was “filed solely to cause unnecessary delay,” Judge Raymond J. Ikola wrote in imposing the sanctions.
Motivated Museum Members, a Laguna Beach-based group which contends that the museum fraudulently conducted three merger votes, was elated by the rulings.
“They have dragged their feet, they must be scared to death of the truth getting out,” said John Bing, an MMM member.
The museum will appeal the rulings, said its attorney, Jim Mahacek.
The case is set to go to trial March 3.
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