CA museums raided for stolen items
LOS ANGELES (AP) - January 24, 2008 Authorities were searching the Los Angeles County Museum of Art,
the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and the Mingei International Museum
in San Diego, said Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman with Immigration
and Customs Enforcement.
A search warrant was also issued for the Pacific Asia Museum in
Pasadena.
A law enforcement source who had been briefed on the matter but
spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing
investigation said authorities are looking for looted artifacts
from Southeast Asia and whether appraisals of the items were
inflated for improper tax deductions.
No arrests have been made, authorities said.
Officials videotaped certain exhibits and took notes on legal
pads at the Bowers Museum while reporters waited outside. A phone
message left with a museum spokeswoman was not immediately
returned.
At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, reporters also gathered
outside the front doors.
"We are cooperating fully with the investigation," said LACMA
spokeswoman Allison Agsten, who declined further comment.
A call to the Pacific Asia Museum was not immediately returned.
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Associated Press Writer Gillian Flaccus in Santa Ana contributed
to this report.