A storied and respected New York art gallery thought they'd stumbled on a treasure trove of undiscovered Abstract Expressionist art. It was, of course, too good to be true. And anyone savvy enough to run a powerhouse art gallery and broker would have known that. But the pieces still went on sale for incredible amounts of money. Full of murky finances, questionable practices, and unnoticed goof ups, this is a classic art crime tale that we all need right now. 

A storied and respected New York art gallery thought they'd stumbled on a treasure trove of undiscovered Abstract Expressionist art. It was, of course, too good to be true. And anyone savvy enough to run a powerhouse art gallery and broker would have known that. But the pieces still went on sale for incredible amounts of money. Full of murky finances, questionable practices, and unnoticed goof ups, this is a classic art crime tale that we all need right now.&nbsp;

True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Ridiculous Crime

It's the Swiss Sugar Baron's Fault: The Knoedler & Company Art Forgery Scandal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fafb234e-5f16-4837-9111-b3e70172ac9d/transcript

In Dresden, Germany, an incredible trove of precious gems is on display in Dresden Castle's Green Vault. They've been there for hundreds of years, save a brief moment when a crime family lifted them and made a run for it. Some made it home, others weren't so lucky. Maybe those jewels will return someday. Hope, like crime, springs eternal.

In Dresden, Germany, an incredible trove of precious gems is on display in Dresden Castle's Green Vault. They've been there for hundreds of years, save a brief moment when a crime family lifted them and made a run for it. Some made it home, others weren't so lucky. Maybe those jewels will return someday. Hope, like crime, springs eternal.

Hot Rocks: The Green Vault Heist

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bd4050fd-ca97-4d2c-9ea5-b4b9015acb85/transcript

Before they grew long beards and a mustache and formed ZZ Top, two of the bandmates, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, were once in a traveling band that was created as a blatant cash grab. Much like Los Beatles Americanos (remember them?), an impostor band was formed to pull some artistic identity theft and the future members of ZZ Top were only too happy to play along. It's like some folks like to say, "Hey man, it was the '60s!" And all of it was ridiculous!

Before they grew long beards and a mustache and formed ZZ Top, two of the bandmates, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, were once in a traveling band that was created as a blatant cash grab. Much like Los Beatles Americanos (remember them?), an impostor band was formed to pull some artistic identity theft and the future members of ZZ Top were only too happy to play along. It's like some folks like to say, "Hey man, it was the '60s!" And all of it was ridiculous!

ZZ Top and the Zombies: A Great American Long Con

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/57a0caf1-e00e-4ee8-a972-b4b7015905ee/transcript

He fought for freedom, not just for his native Spain but for oppressed people worldwide. With his strong believe that, "the keystone of existence is doing right by one's neighbor," his subversive tactics used the tools of system against itself: fake passports and counterfeit cash. Oh, and phony traveler's checks, which is how he ran afoul of one of the largest banks in the world. But leave it to Lucio to get the last laugh.

He fought for freedom, not just for his native Spain but for oppressed people worldwide. With his strong believe that, "the keystone of existence is doing right by one's neighbor," his subversive tactics used the tools of system against itself: fake passports and counterfeit cash. Oh, and phony traveler's checks, which is how he ran afoul of one of the largest banks in the world. But leave it to Lucio to get the last laugh.

It's an Honor to Rob a Bank: Lucio Urtubia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3e0aff93-8da0-4846-b576-b4b2015a18ea/transcript

It's the Swiss Sugar Baron's Fault: The Knoedler & Company Art Forgery Scandal

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