Fox tech's guilty in Iraqi art grab

NY Dayly News ^ | June 4, 2003

[Kaslin]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Fox News technician who was fired after he stole a dozen paintings from an Iraqi presidential palace has pleaded guilty to smuggling the treasures into the U.S.

Benjamin James Johnson, 27, of Alexandria, could be sentenced to five years in federal prison for the single count, but his lawyer Christopher Amolsch said prosecutors have said they will not seek jail time.

The paintings were taken from the palace of Uday Hussein, one of deposed dictator Saddam Hussein's sons.

Customs agents discovered the paintings, along with two chemical suits, a gas mask and some Iraqi monetary bonds, in Johnson's luggage at Washington Dulles International Airport when he returned April 17.

Johnson will be sentenced Aug. 29.

The Associated Press

[Kaslin]

I did a search and didn't see this posted yet.

I wonder what they do with the other journalists who were also cought having stuff stolen?

[demlosers]

If you steal an item from a thief who also stole the item, is that stealing?

[GoLightly]

I believe the "art" he stole were some paintings done of Uday... Not exactly high art, but the proceeds gotten from selling them on e-bay should belong to the Iraqi people.

[Kaslin]

If you steal an item from a thief who also stole the item, is that stealing?

If the item belonged to me in the first place, I don't think so. But I just wonder if the other journalist who were caught with the loot will be prosecuted. Or will it only be the ex technician be cause who worked for FNC Who btw fired him and rightly so

[cgk]

Benjamin James Johnson

Three-name rule again. He's toast. Can we start referring to the ex-Pres as William Jefferson Clinton under this rule? He IS, after all, a convicted criminal.