Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and FBI Assistant Director George Venizelos announced the repatriation of nine stolen 18th century paintings to the Republic of Peru. The paintings were attributed to Miguel Cabrera, a Mexican painter who is considered one of the most important painters of his time in New Spain.
The paintings were stolen from a church in Lima, Peru in 2008. Eight of the paintings were consigned to Jackson’s International Auctioneers & Appraisers in Cedar Falls, Iowa, which brought them to the attention of law enforcement. The art dealer who consigned the paintings to the auction house was told that the paintings were stolen and has signed a stipulation relinquishing any right, title and interest in the paintings.
The ninth missing painting by Miguel Cabrera, ‘Resurrection of Lazarus,’ was discovered to be at an auction house in New York City. The FBI took possession of the painting in early 2014, after determining it was the stolen painting. The person who had consigned the painting to the auction house was notified that the painting had been stolen from Peru and agreed to relinquish any right, title and interest in the painting.
U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Peruvian Embassy and the Peruvian Consulate in New York for their assistance in coordinating the repatriation of the paintings.
Ambassador Harold Forsyth of the Republic of Peru said that the close cooperation between Peru, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI continues to produce concrete results. The paintings are part of Peru’s cultural heritage and their recovery shows that the two countries are fighting together against the international crime of art trafficking.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Unit. There are no charges against Jackson’s International Auctioneers & Appraisers, but the company has relinquished any right, title and interest in the paintings.
The repatriation of the paintings is a significant victory for the people of Peru and a testament to the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI to combating international crime.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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