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Case Summary
United States v. One Cuneiform Tablet Known as the “Gilgamesh Dream Tablet” (Hobby Lobby)
United States v. One Cuneiform Tablet Known as the “Gilgamesh Dream Tablet,” No. 1:20-cv-02222 (E.D.N.Y. July 26, 2021).
Précis
This civil forfeiture case brought in federal court in New York involves the private sale of an ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform tablet, allegedly illegally imported into the U.S. from Iraq, and its seizure by the U.S. government. In light of the CPIA-based forfeiture action, Hobby Lobby is suing Christie’s for breach of…
Associated Legal Decision(s)
Associated Statutes and/or Legislation
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Customs Duties, 19 U.S.C. §§ 2601-2613, Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act ("CPIA")
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Crimes and Criminal Procedure, 18 U.S.C. § 545, Smuggling goods Into the United States
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19 U.S.C. § 1595a Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 2008
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Crimes and Criminal Procedure, 18 U.S.C. § 2314, (National Stolen Property Act), Transportation of Stolen Goods, Securities, Moneys, Fraudulent State Tax Stamps, or Articles Used in Counterfeiting
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Crimes and Criminal Procedure, 18 U.S.C. § 2315, (National Stolen Property Act), Sale or Receipt of Stolen Goods, Securities, Moneys, or Fraudulent State Tax Stamps
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Antiquities Law No. 59 of 1936 (as amended 1974 and 1975) ("1936 Law") [unofficial translation]
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Law No. 55 of 2002 ("2002 Law") [unofficial translation]
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Iraq Stabilization and Insurgency Sanctions Regulations (2010)
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