- US authorities recently returned 142 artifacts (worth $14M) that were illegally obtained to Italy.
- The artifacts included a 2,000 year old fresco painting depicting Hercules that was looted in 1995.
- Over 1/3 of the artifacts were held by American hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt.
- Following years of investigation, Steinhardt has surrendered 180 stolen artifacts worth $70M to countries including Iraq, Israel and Turkey.
- To avoid charges, Steinhardt has also agreed to a lifetime ban on acquiring antiquities.
