18th-century painting stolen by mob recovered after 54 years by FBI

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (TND) — A historic painting believed to have been stolen by mobsters in 1969 has finally returned home to its rightful owner after a thorough investigation by the FBI.

The Salt Lake City Field Office began its investigation in December 2021 after they were contacted by a Washington County, Utah accounting firm acting as a trustee for a client who died in 2020, according to a news release.

"The client had hired the firm to liquidate his residences and personal property," agents said. "While appraising the painting for auction, it was discovered to likely be an original Opie stolen in 1969 from a private residence of the Wood family in New Jersey."

On Jan. 11, 2024, Special Agent Gary France was able to present the painting, titled "The Schoolmistress," to 96-year-old Dr. Francis Wood at his home in Newark, New Jersey after a judge resolved the question of the ownership, the agency said.

The oil canvas piece was painted in 1784 and has a sister painting at the Tate Britain Art Gallery in London.

Wood's father, Dr. Earl Leroy Wood, purchased the painting during the Great Depression in the 1930s for $7,500, according to background provided by the FBI.

Years later, his home was targeted twice in July 1969 by mobsters.

The first time, three men identified asGerald Festa, Gerald Donnerstag, and Austin Costiglione attempted to steal a coin collection on July 7 from Dr. Wood’s home but failed because of a burglar alarm, according to court documents referenced by the FBI.

The police and then-U.S. Senator Anthony Imperiale responded to the attempted burglary while the home's caretaker described the Opie painting as "priceless."

The three men returned on July 25 and were able to steal the Opie painting.

While cooperating with prosecutors during Donnerstag's trial in 1975, Festa testified and confessed to stealing the painting, according to agents. Festa said they acted under the direction of Senator Imperiale and even visited Imeriale's "clubhouse" to be told exactly where the painting was located.

"Festa testified that Imperiale had the painting. However, the claims against the senator were never sufficiently corroborated and he was never charged," the FBI said. "It is believed that law enforcement pressure resulted in the painting’s transfer to another mobster."

Between 1969 and the late 1980s, what happened to the painting is unknown "but the FBI believes it remained in the hands of organized crime members."

Then, in 1989, the FBI said the painting was included in the presale of a home that belonged to convicted mobster, Joseph Covello, Sr.

The man who purchased the Florida home - and unaware of the "identity" and "history" of the painting - later moved to a home in Utah where the painting remained until he died in 2020, according to the FBI.

“It was an honor playing a role in recovering a significant piece of art and culture, and reuniting a family with its stolen heritage,” Special Agent France said. “In a world where criminal investigations often leave scars, it was a rare joy to be a part of a win-win case: a triumph for history, justice, and the Wood family.”