They liked it, knew it was special and stole it and knew they stole it. They should be fined a significant amount and have the theft of art and government property and public art on their police record. I, for one, think the piece is lovely, but that is not the point. A public employee or anyone stealing public art needs to be held legally and morally accountable.
The only people speaking are the son and daughter and they are returning the piece.
If stolen, it was the father. Did he lie or not?
Cant say, but nothing should happen without him being able to present his side of the story and of course, a trial if they think he stole it rather than took it because it was abandoned. (Sounds like he is out of the picture, so maybe passed.)
Someone in charge had a vision/plan to make changes and the statue was not part of it.
This is common as more liberals/leftist are hired into positions of power.
Cities/towns throw away lots of history and art to go Modern or another direction.
Sigh