Exonerated ex-con must sell his paintings despite being owed $2M

Paintings from Richard Phillips' collection on display at the Community Art Gallery inside the Level One Bank in Ferndale. Phillips was exonerated in March 2018 after serving nearly 46 years in prison. The state has yet to pay him more than $2 million from the fund set aside for exonerated prisoners that pays them $50,000 for each year served.

Paintings from Richard Phillips' collection on display at the Community Art Gallery inside the Level One Bank in Ferndale.

Both exonerated, Ken Wyniemko, left, and Richard Phillips, talk during Phillips' art exhibit on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at the Community Art Gallery inside the Level One Bank in Ferndale. Phillips was exonerated in March 2018 after serving nearly 46 years in prison. The state has yet to pay him more than $2 million from the fund set aside for exonerated prisoners that pays them $50,000 for each year served.

Kassie Porteous, looks at a collection of Richard Phillips' paintings at the Community Art Gallery inside the Level One Bank in Ferndale.

Curator of Community Art Gallery, Mark Burton, of Ferndale, left, takes a photograph of Richard Phillips, 73, near a few of his paintings during his exhibit in Ferndale. Phillips was exonerated in March 2018 after serving nearly 46 years in prison. The state has yet to pay him more than $2 million from the fund set aside for exonerated prisoners that pays them $50,000 for each year served.

This painting by Richard Phillips sold, but the artist really doesn't want to sell his life's work after spending 46 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. The state has yet to pay him more than $2 million from the fund set aside for exonerated prisoners that pays them $50,000 for each year served.

From left, Colleen Dwyer and her husband Paul Dwyer, both of West Bloomfield, talk with Richard Phillips, 73, near during his exhibit in Ferndale.

People gather close to listen to Richard Phillips speak about his artwork.

A collection of paintings by Richard Phillips.

A painting from Richard Phillips' collection on display at the Community Art Gallery inside the Level One Bank in Ferndale.

Kassie Porteous, looks at a collection of Richard Phillips' paintings during the exhibit.

Painting by Richard Phillips.

Painting by Richard Phillips

Painting by Richard Phillips

Painting by Richard Phillips