Wong Young Youn, charged with violations of the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA) for allegedly
receiving and transporting a stolen Korean Hojo currency plate, is cooperating with federal authorities. His testimony supported
the February 12, 2013 arrest of James Amato in Michigan. Amato is the owner of Midwest
Auction Galleries. Both defendants' cases are before the federal district
court in Detroit.
Amato is charged with two counts of
violating the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA 18 U.S.C. § 2314 and 18 U.S.C. § 2315)
and with making a materially false statement
and providing a false
document knowing the same to contain a materially
false,
fictitious,
or fraudulent statements
or entry in violation
of 18 U.S.C. § 1001.
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| The Hojo currency plate is said to be one of three currency plates in existence from the 1890's. |
Court records allege that Amato
sold the currency plate in 2010 to Youn for $35,000 despite efforts by the
Korean Embassy and the U.S. State Department to warn them
that the sale could violate the NSPA.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI) issued a customs summons to Midwest Auction Galleries on
June 29, 2012. In response, the gallery "provided an invoice
stating the item was purchased by 'Weng Liang' of 'Hunan,
China,' for
$9,990, according to an HSI affidavit filed with the court this month. The affidavit reveals that Youn
allegedly told HSI officials in January that he
himself bought the currency plate and that he does not know a person named Weng
Liang.
All defendants are presumed innocent
unless and until the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This post is researched, written,
and published on the blog Cultural Heritage Lawyer Rick St. Hilaire at
culturalheritagelawyer.blogspot.com. Text copyrighted 2012 by Ricardo A. St.
Hilaire, Attorney & Counselor at Law, PLLC. Any unauthorized reproduction
or retransmission of this post is prohibited. CONTACT:
www.culturalheritagelawyer.com