Italian Antiquities Dealer Edoardo Almagià Faces Arrest Warrant for Trafficking Artworks
Authorities in New York have recently obtained an arrest warrant for Edoardo Almagià, a prominent Italian antiquities dealer accused of trafficking a significant amount of valuable artworks and artifacts, including Roman sculptures and Etruscan pottery. The warrant, which spans 80 pages, alleges that Almagià engaged in illegal dealings involving thousands of objects, many of which were documented in a ledger known as the “Green Book.” This handwritten list reportedly includes items that were acquired from tomb raiders.
The Manhattan district attorney’s antiquities trafficking unit was able to access excerpts from the Green Book through an informant who attempted to photocopy it. Almagià intervened to retrieve the ledger from the informant before it could be fully copied. However, he overlooked the fact that several pages had already been printed and left in the photocopier tray. As a result, Almagià now faces charges of conspiracy, fraud, and possession of stolen property.
Almagià, a Princeton University graduate from the class of 1973, has had a long and illustrious career working with renowned institutions and museums such as the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Fordham Museum of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Princeton University Art Museum. Prosecutors allege that he engaged in a scheme to acquire stolen antiquities from Italy, present them as legal, exhibit them in prominent institutions to enhance their value, and then sell them for profit.
The investigation into Almagià began in 2018, leading to the seizure of over 200 artworks connected to him from the institutions he collaborated with. This is not the first time the dealer has faced legal trouble, as he was previously apprehended at John F. Kennedy Airport in 2000 for transporting stolen Italian frescoes in his luggage. Subsequent searches of his Manhattan apartment in 2006 prompted him to flee to Italy.
Matthew Bogdanos, the head of the Manhattan district attorney’s antiquities trafficking unit, has emphasized that any artwork associated with Almagià is likely stolen. He expressed the need for accountability, stating, “This guy got away with it for so long, and anyone who has any respect for the rule of law has got to say, ‘Enough.’”
Almagià has contested the charges against him, labeling the investigations into illegal antiquities sales as “witch hunts.” While he does not deny the accusations, he also does not fully accept them. The unfolding legal battle underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding the trade of antiquities and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
The case against Edoardo Almagià serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical considerations and legal implications of dealing in ancient artifacts. It highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the illicit trade of cultural heritage and the challenges faced by authorities in enforcing regulations to protect these valuable treasures.
