Julian Falat Paintings Stolen By Nazis During WWII Seized By ICE

"New York, New York - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents on December 15 seized two Julian Falat paintings entitled "Off the Hunt" and "The Hunt," which were stolen from the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland, by the Nazis during World War II.

According to the complaint filed on Dec. 15 in Manhattan federal court, in August 1944, the German S.S. Obersturmbannfuhrer Benne Von Arent took over the Polish National Museum and confiscated the most valuable items in the museum's possession, including "The Hunt" and "Off to the Hunt." Many of those treasures are still missing and have not been returned to the rightful owners. In 2006, the Polish government enlisted the assistance of ICE when it became aware that these two these national treasure paintings were being offered for sale at two New York auction houses.

After ICE HSI conducted an investigation into the paintings, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York filed a civil complaint against the two paintings seeking their forfeiture on several bases, including that the paintings constitute stolen property imported into the United States in violation of law."

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Imperial Valley News - Julian Falat Paintings Stolen by Nazis During WWII Seized by ICE

 

2 paintings stolen by Nazis seized in NYC - WSJ.com