BALTIMORE, June 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The following is a statement from Barry Landau's attorneys Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White, LLC:
Today Federal Judge Kathleen Blake rejected the government's contention that Barry Landau was the organizer of the historical document theft conspiracy in Maryland and other states, according to his attorneys Steven D. Silverman and Andrew C. White of Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White, LLC.
Landau was sentenced to 84 months today for his part in a two-person conspiracy with Jason Savedoff, who over the course of eight months took 300 "Objects of Cultural Heritage" from Maryland and other states, Landau's attorneys said. All of 300 "Objects of Cultural Heritage" stolen during the course of this conspiracy have been recovered and returned to their rightful owners in museum like condition, court records show.
"As the numerous emails and documents reflect, Savedoff constantly pushed Landau to help him in his quest to, in Savedoff's words, '(F) the World,'" said Silverman, Managing Partner of Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White. "With laser-like precision Savedoff 'targeted' Landau for his connections and exploited his vulnerabilities to carry out his plan to steal and sell documents."
"As the evidence clearly shows in this case, Savedoff's and Landau's goals were completely different. Savedoff wanted money; Landau wanted menus," Silverman added.
"The tension between Savedoff and Landau is clearly reflected in the many hundreds of emails and letters Judge Blake reviewed. Emails and letters between Savedoff and Landau exposed Savedoff's scheme to steal and sell historic documents, his attorneys said. What's more they show Landau's discomfort with the plan and that Savedoff pushed Landau beyond his 'comfort zone' – using the lure of companionship," Landau's attorneys added.
Court records show that Savedoff admitted that historic documents were an "obsession" for him for many years prior to ever meeting Landau. What's more, Jason Savedoff wrote all of the hand-written lists, contained as Exhibits to the State's memorandum. The template for the document "checklist" featured in the State's memorandum was found on Savedoff's personal computer -- not Landau's, according to court documents.
"Despite the seemingly glitzy world of celebrities and politicians." Silverman explains, "Landau has remained living alone in the same rent-controlled apartment in New York City for over 27 years." Mr. Landau:
- Provided valuable assistance in various Presidential Inaugurations.
- Produced a major fundraiser in New York City for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, called Dance for the Cure;
- Helped raise $30,000 for the New York City Mayor's Office on Homelessness and SRO Housing;
- Coordinated the New York "Broadway" Presidential Inaugural Train route prior to the President's Inauguration in 1993;
- Advised the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for the 1997 Presidential Inauguration;
- Assisted the Arthritis Foundation with a major fund raising event in New York City; and,
- Volunteered his "time and talents" in connection with a fundraising event hosted by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse.
"Barry Landau is one of the nation's foremost historians who was coerced into making a bad decision. But a life is more than one transgression," said Silverman. "For many years Barry Landau gave back tirelessly and willing to the community, and he plans to use his wealth of historical knowledge to help others. He is relieved the documents are back in their rightful places."
About Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White
Accomplished, Experienced, Strategic and Relentless, the Maryland based law firm Silverman Thompson Slutkin & White, an AV rated law firm by Martindale-Hubbell, is widely regarded as one of the premier litigation firms in the mid-Atlantic region. They have achieved extraordinary success for their clients across Maryland and throughout the United States. For more information, visit them on the web at www.mdattorney.com.