FBI announces it knows who stole the paintings from the Gardner Museum

On the twenty-third anniversary of the theft, Federal authorities, together with Anthony Amore, Security Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, held a press conference to publicly restate the $5 million reward for the return of the 13 pieces of art stolen in 1990. The FBI’s press release gives details of what they now know about the theft.

The U.S. Attorney can no longer prosecute the crime itself because the robbery occurred outside of any statute of limitations. There would be criminal liability for possession of stolen goods. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz has said she is open to discuss potential immunity from prosecution if someone comes forward with knowledge of where the paintings are. All the parties involved agree that the return of the paintings to the museum is of utmost importance.

• More details about what happened on the night of March 18, 1990, together with images of the paintings, are available on the Museum’s web site.
• An article in today’s Boston Herald reveals the reactions of people who have been involved with the case for many years.
• The FBI’s Art Crime Team has a section of its web site devoted to the Gardner Museum Thefts.