Undercover with the FBI Art Crime Team

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article on stolen art in general, and on FBI Art Crime special agent Robert Wittman, who specializes in going undercover to arrest art thieves and recover stolen artwork. Wittman is also responsible for much of the organization and expansion of the FBI's Art Crime team. The WSJ article states "For years the FBI has relied solely on Mr. Wittman to play the undercover roles of gullible or greedy art lover, but now for the first time the bureau is upending tradition by training a nationwide squad to combat art crime. Prosecutors and law-enforcement officials are hailing the move but wonder whether any of the dozen-odd agents in the FBI Art Crime Team will be ready to take over Mr. Wittman's covert work before he retires later this year."

To read the full Wall Street Journal Article, click HERE.

One of my earlier posts on the AW blog was about a painting that was stolen from my shop and subsequently returned to me by the FBI and an agent from the Art Crime Team. It was an interesting story that also included a very thorough review of the painting by the National Gallery of Art for the FBI to ensure the painting was authentic and as stated. To read this post click HERE.