The FBI’s New York Office Hosts Art Crime Team Training Conference
| FBI New York December 08, 2009 |
Today, the New York Office hosted the annual training conference for the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Established in 2004, the team is composed of 13 special agents, each responsible for addressing art and cultural property crime cases in an assigned geographic region. The Art Crime Team is coordinated through the FBI’s Art Theft Program in the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) located at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Art Crime Team agents receive specialized training in art and cultural property investigations and assist in art-related investigations worldwide in cooperation with foreign law enforcement officials and FBI legal attaché offices. The U.S. Department of Justice has assigned three Special Trial Attorneys to the Art Crime Team for prosecutive support.
Since its inception, the Art Crime Team has recovered more than 2,750 items of cultural property with a value exceeding $142 million. As a means of raising public awareness of art theft and its impact on the local community, the FBI Art Crime Team has identified the Top Ten Art Crimes. One such crime occurred in October 1995 in New York. It was reported that a $3 million Stradivarius violin had been stolen from the New York City apartment of Erica Morini, a noted concert violinist. Made in 1727 by Antonio Stradivari, the violin is known as the Davidoff-Morini Stradivarius. “This remains an open investigation in the New York office,” said Special Agent Richard Kolko.
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Davidoff-Morini Stradivarius |
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Bonnie Magness-Gardiner, program manager of the Art Theft Program at FBIHQ, said, “Our team of dedicated special agents is prepared to assist in art-related investigations worldwide. Art Crime Team agents have the specialized skills, knowledge, and experience that are requested by our law enforcement partners both nationally and internationally. We are proud of their accomplishments and look for continued support of our program and its objectives.”
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Special Agent Matthew J. Bertron and Criminal Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge Belle Chen. |
Bonnie Magness-Gardiner, program manager |
Special Agent (SA) James Wynne from the New York Office has specialized in art crime investigations in New York for 23 years. He is widely regarded as the FBI’s most experienced and successful art crime investigator. During the conference today, SA Wynne noted, “Art Crime investigative skills are unique. This opportunity to meet with other members of our crime team program helps us refine our skills and combine ideas for continuing success.”
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FBI Assistant Director in Charge Joseph Demarest delivering opening remarks. |
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Joseph Demarest gave opening remarks at the conference and added, “The Art Crime Team shines a positive light on the resources and abilities the FBI has to offer and highlights our dedication to preserving historical and cultural heritage. Your specialties cannot be stood up overnight and we commend you for your talents and dedication.”
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FBI Section Chief David Johnson from CID Violent Crime Section at HQ. |
The FBI also maintains the National Stolen Art File (NSAF), a computerized index of reported stolen art and cultural properties for the use of law enforcement agencies across the world. You can find more information on the NSAF, the FBI Art Crime Team and the Top Ten Art Crimes at https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/vc_majorthefts/arttheft.
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