A New Mexico lawyer who cut dozens of photographic prints out of books in the University of New Mexico/Albuquerque library and sold them to dealers has failed to appear to start his prison term and has been declared a fugitive, the Associated Press reported September 12.
Joseph Frontino was convicted August 29 and sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of embezzlement. He was allowed to travel to San Diego, where his parents live, “to tie up his affairs, ostensibly,” Assistant Attorney General Art Weidemann said. He was supposed to turn himself in September 1 but e-mailed the judge, saying he couldn’t get a flight from California to New Mexico and asking if he could return September 3.
Frontino sold at least two dozen original Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, and Edward Steichen prints stolen in 1997 from the library’s special collection to photo galleries, saying he had bought them from various print shops 20 years ago.
Stella de Sa Rego, a photo archivist with the library’s Center for Southwest Research, said the theft was discovered as the library was examining some books that appeared to be damaged. She estimated it would cost $300,000 to replace the publications.
Posted September 18, 2000.