Richard DesLauriers, Boston FBI
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Richard DesLauriers
Special Agent in Charge
Boston FBI
Transcript:
A generation of agents have worked on this case and in addition several AUSA’s (Assistant U.S. Attorneys) from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and indeed several U.S. Attorneys have worked diligently on this case as well. So it is one of the largest art thefts in U.S. history. So because of that and because of the value attached to these paintings, we have been working this case diligently for 22 years now.
The FBI when it comes to significant crimes, we never forget . If it’s a significant crime, we’re going to investigate it, we’re going to be persistent and diligent in our efforts. Careful, persistent diligence is what usually yields good results. And we hope to achieve that in this investigation as well.
Really we’re past the point of statute of limitations on this case, so we’re not particularly interested in at this point pursuing criminal charges against those who are responsible for the theft. We’re solely focused right now on recovery of the paintings because of their value, because of their value to the Gardner Art Museum and because of the significance of the crime, we are totally focused right now on recovering the paintings and returning them to the Gardner Art Museum. There is a $5 million reward outstanding right now for return of the paintings. That is a very significant award.
The recovery of the paintings and the successful return of the paintings to the Gardner Art Museum would indeed be the final chapter of the 22-year saga which has been a primary focus of this, of the FBI’s art theft program.
