The Seized Art of Misappropriation

Artworks belonging to former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos have been seized by authorities who claim they were acquired with stolen state funds. A small number of works were taken away from properties owned by the 85-year-old on the order of the courts. Pieces by Picasso, Gauguin, and other masters are thought to be in the possession of the family of the country's former dictator. Mrs Marcos lived a lavish lifestyle, possibly of the type known to fans of Ricky Martin as "la vida loca", during her husband's 21-year rule. She is best known, however, for amassing a huge collection of designer shoes during the family's tenure in power, but has never been imprisoned despite being charged with a number of crimes. This could be a good time for the courts to scrutinise her shoe collection and all the other expensive stuff in her possession, as there is a chance that those could've also been bought with misappropriated funds. Speaking of funds, Catholic priest Timothy Kane had a sexual relationship with a Michigan prison inmate, and embezzled money from the Archdiocese of Detroit's Angel Fund charity to get money for the inmate and his family, according to a confession the priest made after his arrest. Kane's confession was read on Thursday to a Wayne County Circuit Court jury by Detective Cory Williams, an investigator for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office who arrested the priest at the St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church rectory in northwest Detroit eight months ago. His trial resumes next week.