Here we are for the first Bank Holiday (excepting Easter) for 2024 so let’s hope that now we are in May that warmer days will finally be on their way!
Anyway today we briefly looked at the story of a man working at an art gallery tried to get some exposure for his own artistic expertise, by sneaking one of his own works into the museum and we also report on the US state which has suddenly discovered that it has an undiscovered pot of money in its coffers.
But first off let’s away to Germany where an art museum has reportedly fired a member of staff after he put one of his own paintings on display.
It seems that the 51-year-old man hung one of his artworks at Munich’s Pinakothek der Moderne in February “in the hope of achieving his artistic breakthrough’.
No one seems to know just how long his 60X120cm creation was on display, although a spokesperson for the gallery claimed it was noticed “immediately” by other staff and quickly taken down and returned to the artist.
But police are said to be investigating a complaint of “wilful damage to property” as the worker allegedly drilled two holes into a wall to hang his painting.
Apparently the man concerned had access to exhibition rooms outside opening hours due to his job in the museum’s technical services team.
The Pinakothek der Moderne is one of Europe’s largest museums of contemporary and modern art holding more than 20,000 works including paintings by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and Max Beckmann.
Let us hope and pray that, assuming his artistic talents fail to be recognised, that history does not repeat itself as happened to one other unrecognised artist, who went on to become the Führer!
Now we keep hearing about town councils running out of money but over in the USA one state, South Carolina, has suddenly discovered that it’s sitting on a whopping £1.4 billion surplus in its bank account, but seemingly no one has any idea where it’s all come from.
Apparently some time during the 2010’s some accounting issues arose following a transition from one computer system to another.
Well there you go, computers again!
At present investigative accountants are trying to sort out just what’s gone wrong.
Last year the elected Republican comptroller general was forced to step down after it was discovered that the agency for which he was responsible had somehow double posted money into higher education accounts.
But the paper error totalling an incredible $3.5 billion, somehow started back in 2007, but that sum includes cash placed in a bank account.
Now questions are being asked why the money was in the bank account in the first place and why no-one looked into the problems when they first came to light.
Republican governor, Henry McMaster said, “There’s clearly something wrong somewhere. We don’t know why it’s there, what it’s supposed to be used for, or how long it’s been there – that’s a problem.”
Working out the truth is not proving easy, particularly since the new comptroller, Brian Gaines, is a Democrat, who is fighting with the state treasurer, Curtis Loftis Jr, a Republican, over where the $1.8bn (£1.4bn) came from, and what to do about it.
State officials say the sum was discovered last October – though the state auditor, George Kennedy III, recently told a hearing he knew about it in 2017 but presumed it was in the account temporarily.
“Having $1.8bn in an account that’s supposed to be zero tells you that something is clearly wrong with our state’s accounting.
I should say so!
In reply to a question from Senator Tom Young Junior to confirm that the money actually exists, he was told by state senator, Larry Grooms, that whilst that certainly appears to be the case, however if your banker can’t certify whether or not you actually have $1.8bn, it’s a problem, especially if the banker can’t tell you whose money it is.”
What would YOU do if you found that sort of money in your account?
Think I’d probably withdraw itv smartly and close the account!
Hope to have the pleasure of your company again tomorrow,
Scott
