Stolen Historical Artifacts Being Sold on EBay
Caught After Several Years
We all picture a dark alley and two shadowy figures exchanging money and treasure, when we think of stolen paintings and artifacts. The scene has changed in today's stolen artifact market. According to Clare Trapasso, Associated Press Writer, Daniel Lorello, former archivist for the New York State Department of Education, has been stealing items and selling them on eBay. He was found out when one potential buyer, an attorney, did some research and found that the letter from 1823 written by Vice President John Calhoun belonged to the state. He then turned the information over to the state Attorney General's office and they made the winning bid and caught Lorello in the act.
When will stupid criminals get a little more cunning? I was almost embarrassed for the man when I read the article. Selling stolen items on eBay? That is like the mob advertising for "hit"sevice on Craig'slist.com. I can picture the advertisement now:
"Mother-in-law a problem? Not anymore. Don't waste your time hoping for an answer when "DaBoys Extermination Service" can handle the problem for you. Small down payment and final payment after project completion. Forget the rest and get the best. DaBoys Extermination Service does it all. Contact Big Louie @ 529876***"
Can you also imagine the guys that were bidding on the item at the Attorney General's office?
"Say Bill, while we wait, let's put a bid in on that potato that looks like Leno."
This is just another commentary on the times. Who "woulda' thunk it" twenty years ago. It would have been just another fiction story, and a very bad one at that. Critics would acclaim, "Too unbelievable. No one in their right mind would steal historical artifacts and then go public with their sale." But not only did Mr. Lorello do this, he has been doing this for several years.
Do we now call this a stupid criminal story? Or, since he has been doing this for some time and not gotten caught until now, a stupid employer story? You make the choice.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080128/ap_on_re_us/artifact_arrest
Published by J P Whickson
I was financial planner, stockbroker and insurance representative from 1979 until my retirement in 2007. I taught school and remain permanently licensed, have modeled, and now write. I have several articles... View profile
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26 Comments
Post a CommentOh my, glad they got caught.
Awesome article on what to find on ebay
I vote stupid employer.
interesting...
IMO thousands of stolen articles are sold every day on eBay. I see Gillete razor blades which cost $15 a package going for $5, which is below what any store can buy them for. Stores are starting to keep them behind the counter and carry them by hand to the checkout counters at the supermarkets near me. I would think many stolen historical artifactscan be found there. Great article.
Interesting read!
I've heard of prostitutes selling services over the internet, but state historical artifacts. Wow, that's ballsy.
Great Reporting!
Glad Ebay's been keeping watch on it's sellers!
Yeah, I used to know the head of the museum when I was with the Chamber of Commerce. This was so awful!
This happened here recently with a part of a train