LOS ANGELES, CA.- /PRNewswire/ The Board of Trustees of the J. Paul Getty Trust announced today that it has formed a Special Committee comprised of five independent Trustees. It has vested the committee with authority to oversee and conduct inquiries and investigations relating to compliance with the law and the Trust's ethical policies.

Among the inquiries that the committee will oversee are a review of the issues raised in the ongoing proceedings in Italy regarding the acquisitions of objects in the J. Paul Getty Museum's antiquities collection, an assessment of current Board governance policies and practices, and a review of issues linked to the continuing investigation by the California Attorney General.

The Board also authorized the committee to retain outside counsel and experts to assist them with its inquiries. John Biggs, the Getty Board chair, who will also chair the committee, announced that it has retained Ron Olson and his Los Angeles based firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson to assist with their independent review of these matters.

Mr. Biggs stated, "The creation of the Special Committee reflects the serious commitment by all of our Trustees to ensure that the J. Paul Getty Trust, its Board, and each of its members and employees meets all legal requirements as well as the highest ethical standards while carrying out the Trust's mission.�

In addition, Mr. Biggs emphasized that "the condition of the Getty is sound and the leadership continues to be strong; we nonetheless must confront these important issues, strengthen our ability to address these challenges, and have the entire Board more involved in the institution's governance with the acceptance of full responsibility."

Barry Munitz, president and chief executive officer of the Trust, and a member of the Governing Board that approved this resolution, indicated his full support for this effort: "with this Special Committee, and the commitment of Ron Olson, the governance of the Trust and its leadership group will inevitably emerge even stronger and more able to provide greater service to all of its constituencies."