Man Stole Art from Greenwich Facility: Feds

GREENWICH, CT — A man was charged in a $600,000 art theft scheme, according to the Manhattan U.S. District Attorney office.

Leon Zinder of Queens, New York was charged in connection with the theft and attempted sale of more than a dozen works of art. He was arrested Friday at his home.

“As alleged, Leon Zinder stole works of art worth more than $600,000 from his employer and then sought to sell them through a flea market in Manhattan," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said. "This Office, working with our law enforcement partners at the FBI, have helped recover and return countless works of stolen art and artifacts to their rightful owners. "

From about July 2020 to April 2012, Zinder was employed as an art handler by a New York-based company, according to a criminal complaint.

Zindler stole at least 13 works of art from facilities, including at least three from a Greenwich facility, according to the complaint. He tried to sell the works of art through a dealer worth more than $600,000.

More from U.S. Attorney office:

Eventually, the Dealer became aware that several of the artworks he had helped ZINDER to sell had been reported stolen by the Company. At that point, the Dealer contacted the FBI and began assisting in the subsequent investigation, including turning over the majority of the stolen works to the FBI.

ZINDER, 48, of Forest Hills, Queens, is charged with one count of interstate sale of stolen property, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the defendant’s gross gain or twice the victim’s gross loss resulting from the defendant’s conduct, whichever is greater. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.