DNAInfo reports on the charges against Nayef Homsi who sold three sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist gods that the Manhattan DA’s office says he knew were stolen:
The illegal deals occurred between June 2012 and March 2013 — with the biggest sale being a 13th century gilt-bronze statue of the Buddhist deity Samvara for $370,000, the court papers say.
The DA’s office, which partnered with the Department of Homeland Security on the investigation, filed the papers in Manhattan Civil Supreme Court on March 25, asking a judge to freeze a bank account held in the name of Homsi’s company, Maitreya, where the proceeds of the illegal sales had been deposited.
“Within the next few days, the New York County District Attorney’s office intends to arrest Homsi,” Manhattan prosecutor Lynn Goodman wrote in an affidavit in support of the request.
Brooklyn Art Dealer Accused of Selling Stolen Ancient Artifacts for $500K (DNAinfo.com New York)
