Trustee of Judith Rothschild Foundation Causes Concern for Review

Judith Rothschild established the Judith Rothschild Foundation in her will and appointed a long-time friend, Harvey S. Shipley Miller, as the foundation’s trustee.  The foundation’s assets were worth $34 million when Rothschild died in 1993.  

The New York state Attorney General’s Office is now reviewing the operation of the Judith Rothschild Foundation. Specifically, questionable actions by Miller are under review.  These actions include Miller’s $100,000 annual travel budget, Miller’s residence in Rothschild’s former apartment until it was sold in 2007, and Miller’s acquisition of art that was not consistent with the foundation’s purpose. 

Miller denies any wrongdoing, stating that “It never dawned on me to enrich myself.” Kevin Flynn and Robin Pogrebin, Foundation Promotes Art as Well as Sole Trustee, NY Times, March 17, 2010. 

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this to my attention.