An interesting article in the Los Angeles Times about the Italian government indicting a curator at the Getty Museum. (Also an article in the Chicago Tribune.)
Marion True, 56, curator for antiquities at the museum and director of the Getty Villa, is accused of criminal conspiracy to receive stolen goods and illicit receipt of archeological items. It is also alleged that True in effect laundered goods that were purchased by a private collection and then sold to the Getty in paper transactions that created phony documentation.
The plunder of Italian treasures has gone on for many years. Despite efforts to stem it, valuable art—some of it stolen—has made its way into the hands of major museums and collectors like the Getty, authorities believe. The criminal indictment of a top curator was seen as an indication that Italian officials are taking more aggressive steps to curb such practices.
Marion True is also the director of the Getty Villa. Another article about the statue of Aphrodite mentioned.
Posted by jim at May 21, 2005 05:50 PM