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03-03-2010, 08:23 PM
By PAUL FOY
Associated Press Writer.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The prosecution of the largest-ever American Indian artifacts looting case has been rattled by the apparent suicide of the government informant who broke open the investigation during more than two years of undercover work.
The death marks the third suicide in the case since investigators announced last June that they had charged more than two dozen people with illegally excavating, collecting and dealing artifacts including pottery, stone pipes and ancient jewelry.
Two defendants killed themselves shortly after their arrests, and now the government has lost its most important witness to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ted Gardiner wore a wire and transmitted live video and audio signals to federal agents who monitored his transactions with a cast of dealers and collectors in Western states.
Court documents and interviews with Gardiner showed that he was troubled by a divorce battle and money and alcohol problems. Gardiner was a 52-year-old former grocery chain CEO and acknowledged artifacts expert and dealer.
Gardiner also battled with his FBI handlers over his compensation and his demand for security from threats he perceived because of his pivotal role in a sting operation that led to charges against 26 people in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=157&sid=9870821
Associated Press Writer.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The prosecution of the largest-ever American Indian artifacts looting case has been rattled by the apparent suicide of the government informant who broke open the investigation during more than two years of undercover work.
The death marks the third suicide in the case since investigators announced last June that they had charged more than two dozen people with illegally excavating, collecting and dealing artifacts including pottery, stone pipes and ancient jewelry.
Two defendants killed themselves shortly after their arrests, and now the government has lost its most important witness to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ted Gardiner wore a wire and transmitted live video and audio signals to federal agents who monitored his transactions with a cast of dealers and collectors in Western states.
Court documents and interviews with Gardiner showed that he was troubled by a divorce battle and money and alcohol problems. Gardiner was a 52-year-old former grocery chain CEO and acknowledged artifacts expert and dealer.
Gardiner also battled with his FBI handlers over his compensation and his demand for security from threats he perceived because of his pivotal role in a sting operation that led to charges against 26 people in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=157&sid=9870821