Bochetto Files Federal Lawsuit Over Illegal Removal of Columbus Statue

COLUMBUS, OH – On behalf of a coalition of Italian-American groups and individuals, including cultural organizations, Joseph Piccin (co-counsel), alongside George Bochetto, initiated litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio yesterday against the illegal and wrongful removal of the statue of Christopher Columbus from its location at Columbus City Hall in July 2020.

The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and includes a number of Italian-American groups, cultural institutions, and the estate of Edoardo Alfieri, the famous Italian sculptor who made the Christopher Columbus Statue in the 20th century. 

A Breach of Law and Legacy

The 22-foot bronze statue was taken down from its pedestal in July 2020, during a time of many government actions. But the statue’s placement has deep legal roots. The statue was given to the United States by the City of Genoa, Italy, where Columbus was born, in 1955. It was a gift of friendship between countries, and there were binding agreements that said it had to be displayed in public forever.

George Bochetto, Esquire, the lead attorney, said, “This case is about preserving history, honoring cultural heritage, and making sure that government officials follow the law.” “The statue’s continued absence is a violation of the law and the Constitution that must be fixed.”

The Legal Grounds

The lawsuit says that the removal was not just a change in policy, but also a violation of several important legal protections, such as:

• The National Historic Preservation Act says that federal agencies paid for projects without having to go through mandatory preservation reviews.
• Constitutional Violations: The Italian-American community is being treated unfairly and not getting due process.
• Breach of Contract: This refers to the 1955 “sister cities” agreement and the City Council’s later resolutions that promised to display the statue prominently.
• Columbus City Charter: Saying that the removal didn’t follow the right steps and rules set by local law.

Restoring a Piece of History

Edoardo Alfieri’s three-and-a-half-ton work of art was more than just a monument; it showed how close Ohio and Italy are. Bochetto & Lentz, with help from local lawyer Joseph L. Piccin, Esq., want the statue to be put back outside City Hall right away, along with money damages for the violation of constitutional rights.

How You Can Help

The plaintiffs include dedicated civic organizations and individuals committed to the legacy of Italian-American culture. To learn more about the lead plaintiff, Friends of Christopher Columbus Foundation, or to support the legal effort, please visit www.friendsofcolumbus.org.