Art in federal probe turns up at NY police station

[September 17, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A missing painting at the center of a bizarre web of legal action has turned up more than a month after it vanished -- at a New York City police station.

A middleman who was showing the work to a prospective buyer claimed he got drunk and lost "Portrait of a Girl" on July 28. One of the owners sued him, then dropped the suit.

The other owner was recently indicted in federal court on wire fraud conspiracy charges. He's accused of lying about the painting's value and defrauding an investor. He says he is innocent.

The painting was turned in Sunday to police in Manhattan. The New York Times reported that a doorman found it weeks ago but didn't realize the significance.

The work is by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (zhahn-bab-TEEST' kuh-MEEL' kohr-OH').

[Associated Press]

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