[CPProt.net] Getty curator on trial in Rome in stolen art case

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Getty curator on trial in Rome in stolen art case 
By Shasta Darlington
Mon Jul 18, 9:49 AM ET
 
The curator of antiquities at California's respected J. Paul Getty Museum
went on trial in Rome on Monday accused of receiving stolen artefacts in a
case closely watched by the international art world.

After a decade-long investigation, Italian prosecutors charged Marion True,
who has been with the Getty for over 20 years, of criminal conspiracy to
receive stolen goods and illegal receipt of archaeological artefacts.

True denies the charges and the Getty has defended her.

"We trust that this trial will result in her exoneration and end further
damage to the personal and professional reputation of Dr. True," it said in
a statement following her indictment.

True did not appear in court for the start of trial, which was adjourned
immediately after opening remarks until Nov. 16 in order to provide an
English translation of the proceedings.

The case involves some 40 artefacts that prosecutors believe were illegally
excavated or stolen and later acquired by the Getty, including a prized
ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite.

"We have boxes and boxes of documents and very convincing elements," a
source with the prosecution said.

The trial is widely seen as an effort by Italian authorities to crack down
on the trade in illegally excavated archaeological items by putting pressure
on museums and collectors to verify the origin of artefacts.

"We hope the trial will ensure this kind of crime isn't repeated, that
museums learn you can't turn a blind eye to art theft," the source said.

Art experts estimate that the global black market in stolen antiquities
generates billions of dollars a year.

Italy and France are the two main targets, accounting for more than 12,000
stolen pieces of art every year, with Italy's churches and archaeological
sites a favorite for thieves.

"People need to admit that fantastic artefacts don't just emerge out of the
blue," the source added. "Either they're fakes or they've been illegally
excavated."

The ruling is also expected to have wider implications for countries trying
to retrieve lost and stolen artworks.

The investigation began in 1995 when Swiss police seized thousands of
documents and photographs along with some 4,000 stolen artefacts.
Investigators say the paper trail showed how a group traded in and
"laundered" stolen antiquities.

"They basically describe the last 40 years of illegal trafficking in
antiquities from Tuscany and Lazio," a source said, referring to two central
Italian regions.

In 2000, the evidence was sent to Italy and served as the basis for a trial
of Italian art dealer Giacomo Medici, who is appealing a recent 10-year
prison sentence.

Investigators say they will seek a shorter sentence for True and Paris-based
art dealer Emanuel Robert Hecht who is also a defendant in the trial. They
accuse True of knowingly acquiring stolen artefacts via Medici and Hecht.

In 1999, True and the Getty made the unusual and much-publicised decision to
return three artefacts to Italy that they had determined were stolen years
before.