Art Looting Conference at American

Former Asst. U.S. Attorney; National Archives Inspector General; Art Crime Experts to Discuss U.S. Response to Looting of Map, Manuscript and Book Collections, Oct. 25

Contact: Kathy Thompson, AU WCL Public Relations, 202-274-4279; Cell Phone: 703-855-5556

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 21, 2005) – Criminal legal experts will discuss “Addressing a Global Criminal Operation: The Looting of Rare Map, Manuscript and Book Collections, and the United States’ Response.” The event will be held in Room 603 of American University Washington College of Law, 4801 Massachusetts Ave., NW, from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25. These experts in the field will address issues such as recent thefts from the National Archives and from the Vatican and Yale libraries.

Topics and Panelists include:

“The FBI Art Crime’s Team Perspective on the Looting of Maps, Manuscripts and Books”
· Bonnie Magness-Gardiner, Art Theft Program, FBI Art Crime Team

“Using the Archaeological Resources Protection Act to Prosecute Theft of Illuminated Manuscript Pages from the Vatican Library and the Cathedral Libraries of Toledo and Tortosa, Spain”
· Dennis Kenney, former assistant U.S. attorney

“Using the Theft of Major Art Work Statute to Prosecute Theft of Manuscript Pages from the National Archives”
· Sarah T. Chasson, assistant U.S. attorney
· Kelly Maltagliati, assistant inspector general, National Archives

This event is co-sponsored by American University Washington College of Law; the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation; the National Park Service Law Enforcement & Emergency Services; and Cultural Resources. The event is free and open to the public.

To arrange to attend the discussion or for other media assistance, contact Kathy Thompson, director of public relations, 202-274-4279; Cell Phone: 703-855-5556; or E-mail: kthompson@WCL.american.edu.