Park West Gallery^®, Defending Itself Against Defamation, Files Counterclaim In Michigan Against Fine Art Registry^® and Surrogates

Park West Gallery, one of the world's largest art dealers, is defending itself forcefully against a campaign of defamation and business interference waged by the website Fine Art Registry (FAR). Responding to a lawsuit filed earlier this year in Oakland County Circuit Court by Park West customers recruited by FAR, the 40-year-old Southfield-based gallery has filed a counterclaim charging defamation, tortious interference and civil conspiracy.

Park West Seeks Injunction and Damages

Park West Gallery's counterclaim names five plaintiffs from the earlier suit along with a third-party complaint against FAR, its founder Theresa Franks, and Frank Hunter, operator of another art website. Park West Gallery is charging the parties with:

• Publishing numerous false and defamatory statements about Park West
• Attempting to destroy Park West's goodwill and reputation by use of false and defamatory statements
• Interfering with existing contractual relationships between Park West and its customers
• Interfering with Park West's prospective business opportunities

Park West is seeking a permanent injunction against these individuals and FAR along with actual and punitive damages.

Read the countersuit filing (PDF).