The ANNOTICO Report

For Centuries Plunderers have Stolen Priceless Cultural Patrimony from
Ancient Empires, such as Rome,
Persia, Greece, Egypt, and Iraq, and Museums have been willing participants
in this ravaging.

Italy on behalf of itself, and all other Artifact Rich countries is
Declaring War on this Conspiracy
 

By Shasta Darlington
Reuters  |
July 19, 2005

ROME -- The curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los
Angeles went on trial in Rome yesterday, accused of receiving stolen
artifacts in a case closely watched in the art world.

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

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," the museum
said in a statement after her indictment.

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

The case involves about 40 artifacts that prosecutors think were illegally
excavated or stolen and later acquired by the Getty, including an 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 archeological items by putting pressure
on museums and collectors to verify the origin of artifacts.

''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.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/07/19/italy_trying_us_
curator_in_artifact_theft_case/