Famous Former FBI Agent Returns to McFaddin-Ward House Museum with Thrilling New Lecture April 10
Beaumont, TX; March 24, 2025 – One of the most famous art detectives in the world, former FBI Special Agent Robert Wittman is returning to Southeast Texas with an all-new lecture, “The Three F’s of Art Crime: Frauds, Forgeries, and Fakes,” presented by the McFaddin-Ward House Museum on Thursday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Visitor Center Lecture Hall (located at 1906 Calder Avenue in Beaumont).
Wittman, a renowned art crime expert and bestselling author, will share thrilling stories and behind-the-scenes videos from his FBI investigations into some of the largest and most captivating fraud cases in the art and collectible world. His new lecture will provide insider details into several cases, including a 2011 case at the Knoedler Gallery in New York City, which involved the selling of forged art worth approximately $60 million, and a fraud case involving dealers with the Antiques Roadshow television series.
“It’s going to be exciting—they’re going to see undercover videos, they’re going to hear about cases they have not heard about before and they’re going to get background from the man in the room,” Wittman said. “They’ll be learning about things that are not public knowledge but are interesting facts of these cases.”
With around 75 percent of today’s art crime market involving fakes, frauds, and forgeries, Wittman said it’s important for the public to learn how to protect themselves against becoming a victim of this type of crime. His lecture will include invaluable insights and practical tips on sophisticated fraudster protection.
“People are constantly on the lookout for good deals,” Wittman said. “Most of the time in these cases, when you find a ‘good deal’ on artwork, it’s probably not real.”
After joining the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988, Wittman received specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry, and gem identification, enabling him to serve as the FBI’s investigative expert involving cultural property crime. During his 20-year FBI career, Wittman recovered more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property. He has represented the United States throughout the world, conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in recovery and use of high asset value security techniques.
In 2010, Wittman penned his “New York Times” bestselling memoir PRICELESS: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures.
Wittman says returning to Beaumont to speak in the McFaddin-Ward House Museum Lecture Series will be the “highlight of [his] year.”
McFaddin-Ward House Museum lectures are free and open to the public, but space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m., and lectures begin at 6:30 p.m. For those unable to attend, the full lecture will be available for viewing on the museum’s YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@mcfaddinwardhouse) and website (mcfaddin-ward.org/about/videos) after the event.
Built in 1905-1906 in the distinctive Beaux-Arts Colonial style, the McFaddin-Ward House reflects the lifestyle of the prominent family that lived in the house for 75 years. The museum features admission-free tours, educational programming, year-round events, a carriage house exhibit, and gardens.
This program is supported by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information, call 409-832-2134 or visit mcfaddin-ward.org.
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