Kansas City Court Ruling Resolves Long-standing Art Family Dispute

Kansas City Court Ruling Puts an End to Art Family Feud

Kansas City has recently been buzzing over a high-stakes legal showdown involving the estate of celebrated artist Thomas Hart Benton and the Kansas City bank UMB. After a grueling five-month trial that captivated local audiences, a Jackson County Circuit Court judge made a huge decision—issuing a judgment that awarded Benton’s heirs a mere $35,000 rather than the $85 million they were seeking.

A Legal Drama Spanning Years

At the heart of this legal drama was a lawsuit filed in 2019 by Jessie Benton, the artist’s daughter, and her three children, who alleged that UMB, responsible for managing Benton’s trust, had lost over 100 pieces of art and had improperly cared for remaining works. The Benton family claimed UMB had engaged in self-dealing, selling paintings for significantly less than their market value.

However, in a detailed 59-page judgment delivered last Friday, Judge Mark Styles Jr. concluded that UMB had not breached its fiduciary duty. In fact, only five pieces—a likely handful of sketches or studies—could not be accounted for, valued collectively at $35,000, the amount awarded to the Bentons.

Reactions from the Benton Family

Attorney Kent Emison, representing the Benton family through the firm Langdon & Emison, expressed disappointment with the verdict and hinted at possible appeals. “We still strongly believe in the merits of the case for the Benton family,” he stated, underscoring their continuing struggle for justice.

Interestingly, documents revealed that some of the plaintiffs, including two of Thomas Hart Benton’s grandchildren, displayed a certain level of indifference during the trial. In fact, one grandchild actively contradicted his own legal team’s arguments.

UMB’s Triumph

In contrast, Mariner Kemper, UMB’s CEO, described the ruling as “vindicating” for the bank and its legacy. Kemper fired back at the allegations made by the Bentons, saying, “Their attempts to exploit false claims and ruin the reputation of our company did not succeed.” He confidently declared that “justice does prevail,” even if it takes time.

A Family Legacy on Trial

This lawsuit was more than just a family feud; it represented a clash between two historically significant local families. On one side, you had Jessie Benton and her three children battling UMB, which is part of the long-established Kemper family, known for their deep roots in Kansas banking.

Interestingly, Jessie Benton, who passed away on February 16, 2023, just ten days after the trial started, had raised concerns about UMB’s handling of her father’s art back in 2015. During a visit to a UMB vault, she felt the conditions were inadequate for safeguarding her father’s priceless creations and suspected that some pieces were missing.

The Court’s Findings

After hearing from 67 witnesses over the course of the trial, Justice Styles found that many of the claims made by the Benton family lacked solid foundation. He highlighted contradictions in testimony given by Anthony Gude, a grandson, who ended up being the only family member to testify.

Gude, who is also an artist, had played a role in several sales from the Benton trust and even stored some of his work in UMB’s vault, maintaining that he never felt that his grandfather’s art was mishandled.

Disgrace and Disinterest

The trial proceedings included an explosive note from Daria Lyman, one of the plaintiffs, who sought to distance herself from the lawsuit, claiming she was coerced into participating by her mother. “I was forced to be a plaintiff by my mother who was the corrupt leader of a demonic commune,” she said in an email, shedding further light on the family’s turbulent dynamics.

The Road Ahead

Ultimately, Judge Styles determined that UMB had only mismanaged five pieces out of around 3,500. He noted that the Benton family had initially believed they had lost millions in art, but eventually became disinterested as they realized the evidence didn’t support their claims.

With the case now concluded, UMB has emerged victorious while the Benton family is left weighing their next steps. As conversations of appeals circulate, one can’t help but wonder if the familial tensions will simmer down or continue to boil over in the public eye.