Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Stolen Cezanne may be non-existent Cezanne LIMPINWOOD, Australia, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The art world has turned a skeptical eye on an Australian who says someone stole a Paul Cezanne painting that may not have ever existed. Advertisement John Opit, an art restoration expert, told Australian authorities his 1873 Cezanne portrait of the painter's son in a highchair was stolen -- and worth $50 million. In addition, Opit said, the thief also got 20 other paintings worth $17 million, the Brisbane Courier-Mail reported Friday. He has told police the Cezanne was worth $50 million and that 19 others stolen included a $2 million painting by American Winslow Homer, two prints by Australian Norman Lindsay and work by Arthur Streeton. But the art world seemed doubtful. The National Gallery of Australia said there was no record of the Cezanne. Others said even if such a painting exists, it is unlikely it ever made it to Australia. Advertisement Pencil pushers protest pub prohibition BRISBANE, Australia, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Government bureaucrats in Queensland, Australia, are trying to save their tradition of drinking during work, the Brisbane Courier-Mail reported Friday. The cocktail controversy arose when Tony McGrady became the new minister of Queensland's Department of State Development. As he has done in previous posts, McGrady quickly told his senior associates that drinking during work hours -- including lunch -- was finished. Almost immediately a petition was circulated warning the pub prohibition "could not be implemented without jeopardizing our core investment and job-creating opportunities," according to the department's executive director of investment, John Strano. McGrady Friday reaffirmed his commitment to ban "boozy lunches," suggesting afternoons were actually an ideal time to work. "I understand that for an organization such as State Development part of business culture is that you have lunches and dinners," McGrady said. "But I know from personal experience that a couple of wines at lunch can have you coming back to work not 100 percent. So do what I do: glass of mineral water, soft drink, orange juice -- just don't drink." Clooney supporting dad for Congress HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Hollywood superstar George Clooney says he'll wash the car of anyone who contributes at least $500 to his father Nick Clooney's congressional campaign. Advertisement And, the New York Post reported Friday Clooney swears he will wear a toga while scrubbing the autos. Clooney is holding a fundraiser for his Democrat dad's Kentucky congressional run in his Studio City, Ca., home on March 6. The offer to wash the cars of campaign donors came in the form of a handwritten appeal that begins: "OK, this is a little tricky. I'll start with a warning: I'm asking for money so you might want to stop reading and pretend you never got this letter." The letter explained: "I'm writing you in hopes of scaring up some cash for his Congressional bid. If you can't or don't want to, I understand. However, if you can ... I'm having a cocktail party at my house on Saturday March 6, at 7 p.m. It's a benefit so there will be entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and booze. "And I'll wash your car every week till it's paid off and Armor-all the tires ... in a toga," he said. Govt: call girl client wrecked company LONDON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A top British business executive who allegedly bankrupted his company to pay for sex faces legal charges now that 170 employees are out of work. Advertisement Peter Lee, 51, is accused of bankrupting Durham Travel Services to pay for $1,900-per-night visits with "Sultry Tia," whose Web site warns that clients could become "addicted," the Daily Mirror reported Friday. Between 1998 and 2002 Lee is accused of draining $937,000 from the company to get gifts for and enjoy travel with Sultry Tia. Officials say he bought her a $57,000 BMW and bedroom furnishings and took her on exotic vacations to Bali. The $237,500-a-year managing director also kept two mistresses. One became pregnant with his child. Lee was outed in an audit in the summer of 2002. Police were called in and soon after the firm went into liquidation, with 170 workers being dismissed. When his wife Ann discovered his double life last year, she moved out of their home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, with their children. "He was obsessed with Tia and kept on dipping into the accounts to pay for his fantasies," said a colleague. "He's ruined and he could go to jail."
