Keeping up with the Kardashian’s may be over, but they continue to keep us engaged. In recent news, Kim Kardashian was accused of importing a “stolen” Ancient Roman sculpture. Customs officials seized this $750,000 shipment in her name in 2016. Federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of an ancient Roman sculpture that was on its way to Kim Kardashian when it was seized at Los Angeles’ port five years ago.
The antique is described as “Fragment of Myron’s Samian Athena, Limestone, Roman, 1st – 2nd century A.D., was originally looted from Italy, and they want it returned. The sculpture was part of a 5.5-ton shipment valued at $745,882 that allegedly contained 40 antiques.
Things take an interesting turn when the investigation suggests that Kim knew about the sculpture’s origins. Her spokesperson asserted that she never bought the piece and told DailyMail.com, “Kim never purchased this piece, and this is the first that she has learned of its existence. We believe it may have been purchased using her name without authorization. Because it was never received, she was unaware of the transaction.” her Calabasas home was being worked on by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt who said he bought the statue in 2012, having borrowed it previously.
The twist in the tale is that officials argue there were two statues – one bought legally and another looted from Italy. And the Paris antique dealer who sold it to Verdoordt insists there is only one. Conclusively, Italian authorities have requested its repatriation.
[Via: NBC News]