> As a final resort, Cohen tried to prevent the imminent demolition by seeking a preliminary injunction against Wolkoff under the Visual Artists Rights Act. The court denied the plaintiffs’ application for preliminary injunction but said an opinion would come within eight days.

> “Rather than wait for the Court’s opinion,” Block wrote, “Wolkoff destroyed almost all of the plaintiffs’ paintings by whitewashing them during that eight-day interim.”

Here's the key lines. The landlord attempted an end-run around the courts. They failed and are now subject to heavy penalty for trying to subvert the courts.