FBI agent to speak about his work recovering stolen art

Join Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church Oct. 25, to hear how Robert K. Wittman helped recover more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property during his 20-year career as an FBI investigative expert.

Wittman is the author of “Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures.” By the FBI’s accounting, Wittman saved hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of art and antiquities.

Wittman joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988 and was assigned to the Philadelphia Field Division. As a result of specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry and gem identification, he served as the FBI’s investigative expert in this field.

In 2005, he was instrumental in the creation of the FBI’s rapid deployment Art Crime Team. He was named as the ACT’s senior investigator and instructed the team members in how to conduct cultural property investigations. He has represented the United States around the world conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in investigation, recovery and security techniques.

Examples of major recoveries detailed in his book include:

• Rembrandt’s 1630 self-portrait valued at $36 million, which was stolen from the Swedish National Museum in Stockholm;

•Goya and Brueghel paintings valued at $50 million held by a Spanish mobster;

•An original copy of the Bill of Rights stolen by a Union soldier in April 1865, and believed lost for 140 years. Recovery valued at $30 million;

• Native American Apache medicine man Geronimo’s eagle feather war bonnet valued at $1.2 million.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. A question and answer session will follow. Light refreshments will be available. Admission is $20 per person. More information is at tmpc.org.

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