[CPProt.net] FBI recovers stolen WW II German paintings

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

FBI recovers stolen WW II German paintings
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The FBI in Philadelphia has recovered three
19th-century German paintings worth $125,000 that were stolen during World
War II.
 
The oil-on-canvas paintings are by the prominent Munich painter Heinrich
Burkel. In March 1945, 50 of his works were stolen by U.S. troops, about six
weeks before the Nazis surrendered.

An unidentified South New Jersey woman who was unaware the paintings were
contraband offered them to a Philadelphia-area auction house, which
appraised them and posted them on an Internet site.

That led German officials to contact the U.S. government, and the FBI became
involved, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The woman has agreed to give the paintings back the museum they were stolen
from, and will not be charged with anything, said Jack Eckenrode, the
special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia division.

"Anyone who might have any criminal intent in this has long since passed
away," Eckenrode said.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/