Investigations carried out by the Public Prosecutor Office in Naples led to the discovery of around 4,000 ancient books and manuscripts belonging to the Library, which have been misappropriated by the Director of the library, Massimo Marino De Caro. The offender established a large network of national and international accomplices, dealers in antiquities and proceeded to the gradual dispossession of the Library, through the sale of a number of volumes and manuscripts to third parties, collectors or brokers, in Italy and abroad, as well through the sale of an entire collection of more than 600 books and manuscripts to the auction house “Zisska & Schauer” in Munich.
GermanyAround 500 ancient volumes were found and returned to Italy.
A final conviction has been issued against De Caro and some of his accomplishes, basically in relation to the crime of embezzlement regarding the volumes (over 2.000) that were recovered within the Italian territory at the beginning of the investigations. A criminal conviction confirmed by the Court of Appeal in Naples has also been issued against Herbert Schauer, holder of the afore mentioned auction house. Mr. Schauer was arrested in Germany in execution of an European Arrest Warrant, issued upon request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Naples, in relation to the crimes of embezzlement and illegal export of cultural property. Around 500 ancient volumes were also found and returned to Italy, as a result of a specific request of international cooperation between the two countries.
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals of Naples
