The executor of Robert Indiana's estate has come forward in court papers to argue that Mr. Indiana, the famed artist who created the iconic "LOVE" and "HOPE" renderings, had been poorly cared for by his caretaker, Jamie L. Thomas. The court filing asserts that Mr. Thomas "improperly lined his pockets" with $1.1 million from the artist and took more than 100 works of art by claiming they were gifts. It also maintains that Mr. Thomas breached his obligations by allowing the artist to live in "squalor and filth." This filing is a response to a case filed by Mr. Thomas in July, in which he sued the estate for millions of dollars for legal fees he incurred fighting a separate lawsuit in New York by Morgan Art Foundation, a former business partner of Mr. Indiana. James L. Brannan, the executor of the Indiana estate who filed the counterclaim, is represented by Preti Flaherty attorney Sigmund D. Schutz.

Continuing Coverage:

• Robert Indiana's former caretaker let the artist live in filth, his estate claims New York Observer
• Robert Indiana lived last years in squalor, neglected by caretaker, estate says Portland Press Herald 
• Robert Indiana's caretaker refutes accusations of neglect Sun Journal
• Robert Indiana's caretaker denies he neglected his duties to the late artist Bangor Daily News
• Robert Indiana's caretaker accused of allowing artist to live in squalor as battle over estate continues ArtForum.com
• Robert Indiana's estate accuses his caretaker of allowing the 89-year old artist to live in 'squalor' before he died Artnet.com