15th Century Manuscript Repatriated to the Italian Government

On January 27, 2014, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, along with ICE-HSI, and the Italian Consulate (Miami) participated in the repatriation of a 15th Century Italian manuscript back to the government of Italy. Pursuant to a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), the USAO conducted legal proceedings to obtain and return the historical document to the peoples of Italy. The artifact or “leaf” was stolen from the Capitular Archive of the Archdiocese in Turin, Italy nearly 25 years ago. The investigation confirmed with certainty that the manuscript was the San Lorenzo, page 212 from the Missal of Ludovico da Romagnano.

U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III makes remarks during the press conference

The repatriation certificate is signed by Adolfo Barattolo (Consul General, Italian Consulate, Miami)

Consul General and U.S. Attorney with the recovered Italian manuscript

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Palermo explains the document to the media