Staff Reports
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg appears to have developed a new passion for reclaiming stolen antiquities when he's not engaged in critiquing the former president or handling lenient sentences for dangerous criminals. In an impressive ceremony held this week, Bragg's office successfully returned 19 valuable ancient artworks to Italy, collectively valued at an astonishing $19 million. It's like a lavish Italian banquet for the eyes!
These valuable artifacts were evidently linked to various ongoing investigations involving illicit antiquities dealers caught in the act of trafficking stolen cultural treasures. It's akin to a real-life rendition of Indiana Jones, albeit without the thrilling action sequences and with an abundance of bureaucratic paperwork. Nevertheless, Bragg assumes the role of a hero, returning these ancient relics to their rightful home. He certainly deserves commendation for his efforts!
This isn't the first time Bragg has assumed the mantle of an "art detective." Just a couple of months ago, he handed over a staggering 266 recovered antiquities to Italian authorities, likely worth millions, which was a significant boon for art enthusiasts. It appears that Bragg has found his niche as the go-to expert for tracking down stolen treasures. Move aside, Sherlock Holmes!
During the ceremony at the Italian Consulate in New York City, Bragg couldn't resist giving himself a well-deserved pat on the back, proclaiming, "Italy has suffered from organized antiquities looting for decades, but we're making amends thanks to our remarkable team of investigators, analysts, and prosecutors." It's almost like a modest boast, as if Bragg single-handedly safeguarded Italy's cultural heritage. Someone should consider giving this man a cape!
However, Bragg is not the sole figure beaming with pride. Italy's Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, expressed his gratitude to the Manhattan District Attorney for their "effective cooperation" in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts. But we must not overlook the true culprits here: the shadowy dealers, traffickers, and looters who have been plundering Italy's precious art for centuries. We should celebrate Bragg's endeavors in bringing these criminals to justice and putting an end to their avaricious exploits.
One particular art dealer under the spotlight in Bragg's investigations is Robin Symes, who is also facing scrutiny in the UK and was allegedly involved in the trafficking of most of the 266 antiquities returned to Italy in August. These artifacts were discovered in a storage unit owned by Symes in New York, giving the situation the aura of a hideout right out of a spy thriller. Fortunately, a museum curator in Houston, Texas, had the wisdom to decline these dubious artifacts and alert the authorities.
Another significant player in this art-crime narrative is the late Jerome Eisenberg and his Royal-Athena Galleries. Since 2017, over 125 looted antiquities have been recovered from his gallery and returned to their rightful origins. It appears that Eisenberg's legacy is less virtuous than it seemed. These dealers might believe they can elude justice with their schemes, but Bragg consistently stays one step ahead, much like a determined detective on a mission to recover precious ancient artifacts.
The accomplishments of DA Bragg and New York's Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) are genuinely remarkable. Since taking office, Bragg alone has successfully reclaimed and repatriated over 1,000 antiquities, collectively valued at an astounding $215 million. As for the ATU, they've seized more than 4,600 ancient artworks with a staggering combined worth of $440 million. It's a feat that would make any advocate of law and order applaud!
With over 2,500 antiquities already returned and another 1,600 in the process, it seems that Bragg's mission to safeguard the world's cultural heritage, one ancient artifact at a time, is far from over. Let's hope he continues to pursue these cultural criminals and restore these treasures to their rightful places. After all, history must be preserved, and those who profit from its theft must be held accountable. Bravo, DA Bragg, bravo!
