Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky is trying to recoup losses incurred during his legal defeat against former partner Roman Abramovich: The exiled Russian oligarch is auctioning off an Andy Warhol portrait of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin.
The 67-year-old tycoon is selling his limited-edition ‘Red
Lenin’ print in hopes of paying off creditors and legal bills, the
Times reported. The 1987 portrait by the Pop Art pioneer has been
estimated by Christie's to be worth between $45,000 and $75,000,
and is reportedly in excellent condition. In 2012, works by Warhol
topped auction sales, fetching a total of $380.3 million, beating
long-time world record-holder Picasso.
In August, Berezovsky lost a $5.6-billion court battle against
Abramovich in a highly publicized dispute over the ownership of the
profitable oil company Sibneft. The case left his reputation in
tatters, with the judge presiding over the case describing
Berezovsky as an “unimpressive” and “inherently
unreliable witness,” who was “deliberately dishonest”
and viewed “truth as a transitory, flexible concept.”
He was further ordered to pay Abramovich’s $56 million in legal costs.
Earlier this year, Berezovsky’s legal and financial troubles
continued to loom large after his ex-lover claimed her partner of
20 years owed her $8 million in compensation over the sale of their
$40 million residence in Surrey.
Elena Gorbunova also secured an asset-freeze on two luxury
properties Berezovsky was allegedly trying to sell in France which,
she maintained, were promised to her. The freeze, which was
initially reported to be for $200 million but later reduced by the
judge, will remain in place until the matter is settled in
court.
A Russian court sentenced Berezovsky in absentia for embezzling $2
billion from two major state companies, as well as for fraud and
money-laundering.
Moscow has repeatedly requested his extradition; British
authorities have not complied.