Douglas Latchford, $12M Antique Trafficking, New York, 2023

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Douglas Latchford, $12M Antique Trafficking, New York, 2023

A $12 million settlement has been reached in a civil forfeiture action against the estate of antiquities trafficker Douglas Latchford. Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, announced the settlement on [current date].

According to the allegations in the Complaint and the Stipulation filed in Manhattan federal court on June 22, 2023, Douglas Latchford was a prolific dealer of stolen antiquities. He made millions from selling looted antiquities in the U.S. art market, stashing his ill-gotten gains offshore. The settlement resolves claims that Latchford transferred the proceeds from the sale of stolen antiquities to bank accounts in the Bailiwick of Jersey.

As part of the settlement, Latchford’s estate has agreed to the forfeiture of $12 million, which was derived from the sale of stolen Southeast Asian antiquities. Additionally, Latchford’s daughter has agreed to the forfeiture of a 7th Century bronze statue depicting the four-armed goddess Durga, which is alleged to have been stolen from Vietnam in 2008 and purchased using tainted funds.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, "For years, Douglas Latchford made millions from selling looted antiquities in the U.S. art market, stashing his ill-gotten gains offshore. This historic forfeiture action and settlement shows that we will be relentless in following the money wherever it leads to fight the illicit trade in cultural patrimony."

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said, "The late Douglas Latchford was a prolific dealer of stolen antiquities. His complicity in numerous illicit transactions over several decades garnered him millions of dollars in payments from buyers and dealers in the United States, of which as part of this agreement, $12 million will be rightfully forfeited by his estate."

The settlement is subject to review by a district judge in the Southern District of New York. The case highlights the importance of following the money trail to combat the illicit trade in cultural patrimony.

According to the allegations, Latchford was indicted in the Southern District of New York with wire fraud conspiracy and other crimes related to a multi-year scheme to sell looted Cambodian antiquities on the international art market. The indictment was dismissed due to the death of Latchford in 2020.

The case is a significant victory for law enforcement and the art community, demonstrating the willingness to take on high-profile cases and recover illicitly obtained cultural artifacts.