Old story on art theft/fraud. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

justins5256 · 11-08-2004, 11:53 AM

I was doing some research with the episode guide when I came across a reference to a story from the first season that I don't remember seeing:

July 26, 1989

New reports on the alleged abduction of a Mississippi millionaire and the capture of a Los Angeles man charged with art fraud. Also: repeat segments on a Georgia restaurant owner; the search for the kidnappers of a California girl; works of art stolen from museums.

Does anyone know what the stories on "the capture of a Los Angeles man charged with art fraud" and "works of art stolen from museums" are about?

The only story I can recall that had to do with art theft concerned a series of paintings of the crucifixion created by the late Ben Stahl. They were stolen from his museum in Sarasota, Florida in the late sixties I believe. I'm sure this isn't the above referenced case however, as Ben Stahl's story originally aired on 4/7/93 according to the episode guide.

Any thoughts? Kane, are you out there?

Thanks in advance,
Justin

Kane · 11-08-2004, 08:25 PM

I'm here, Justins5256!

I began watching UM in March of 1989, but I'm trying to remember the segment in question. However, I agree that it could not have been the Ben Stahl case, since that wasn't featured on the show until a few years later, and no one was ever arrested in connection with the theft of Ben Stahl's paintings.

If something comes back me, I'll let you know.

Composite Sketch · 11-10-2004, 09:46 AM

While we're on the subject of old segments on fraud, there's this one that I saw in a re-run in 1997 about a fraudulent 'new age' doctor who used slight-of-hand to con people in believing that some kind of massage cured cell diseases (or something of that ilk). He was Filipino I think, and I remember someone being interviewed saying that his mother actually died after seeing him. Do you, Kane, or anyone else remember this case? I recall at the very end when the suspect was profiled they added another bit saying that he was 'still on the run, so if you have any information....' which I thought was odd and sad at the same time.

11-08-2004, 11:53 AM	#1
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	Old story on art theft/fraud. I was doing some research with the episode guide when I came across a reference to a story from the first season that I don't remember seeing: July 26, 1989 New reports on the alleged abduction of a Mississippi millionaire and the capture of a Los Angeles man charged with art fraud. Also: repeat segments on a Georgia restaurant owner; the search for the kidnappers of a California girl; works of art stolen from museums. Does anyone know what the stories on "the capture of a Los Angeles man charged with art fraud" and "works of art stolen from museums" are about? The only story I can recall that had to do with art theft concerned a series of paintings of the crucifixion created by the late Ben Stahl. They were stolen from his museum in Sarasota, Florida in the late sixties I believe. I'm sure this isn't the above referenced case however, as Ben Stahl's story originally aired on 4/7/93 according to the episode guide. Any thoughts? Kane, are you out there? Thanks in advance, Justin

11-08-2004, 08:25 PM	#2
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	I'm here, Justins5256! I began watching UM in March of 1989, but I'm trying to remember the segment in question. However, I agree that it could not have been the Ben Stahl case, since that wasn't featured on the show until a few years later, and no one was ever arrested in connection with the theft of Ben Stahl's paintings. If something comes back me, I'll let you know.

11-10-2004, 09:46 AM	#3
Composite Sketch Staring at you Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 26, 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 304	While we're on the subject of old segments on fraud, there's this one that I saw in a re-run in 1997 about a fraudulent 'new age' doctor who used slight-of-hand to con people in believing that some kind of massage cured cell diseases (or something of that ilk). He was Filipino I think, and I remember someone being interviewed saying that his mother actually died after seeing him. Do you, Kane, or anyone else remember this case? I recall at the very end when the suspect was profiled they added another bit saying that he was 'still on the run, so if you have any information....' which I thought was odd and sad at the same time.