A five-year investigation into artifacts dealer Christopher Kortlander’s museum resulted in a raid and allegations that he was dealing in fraudulent artifacts and feathers in violation of federal law. Authorities seized a trove of war bonnets, medicine bags and other items. Subsequently, no charges were ever filed, and most of the items seized during the raids have been returned.
Most but not all, Art Daily reported that “sealed court filings obtained by The Associated Press show the government still holds 22 items, partly on the word of a convicted felon who claimed Kortlander acquired them illegally.” Many of the still seized objects contain feathers of protected birds, which renders them “contraband” under the Bald Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Since 2009, the Center for Art Law has organized hundreds of events and published over 1,000 relevant, accessible, and editorially independent articles. As a nonprofit working with artists and students, the Center for Art Law relies on your support to fund our work. Become a premium subscriber and gain access to discounts on events and archives of articles and/or hundreds of case summaries, intended for a worldwide audience of legal professionals, artists, researchers, and students
Thaler v. Perlmutter, Civil Action No. 22-1564 (BAH) (D.C. Aug. 18, 2023).
$70/per year
Case Law Corner
See All Benefits
Read case law summaries and enjoy unlimited access to our legendary Case Law Corner. Stay tuned to the new and improved Database in 2024.