Art and Memorabilia Theft Ring

In a two-decade period, Thomas Trotta led a ring that targeted 20 museums and other venues, including the Everhart Museum and Lackawanna Historical Society in Scranton, the Country Club of Scranton in South Abington Twp. and Keystone College in LaPlume Twp.

The trial of four Lackawanna County men involved with a decades-old art and memorabilia theft ring ended in a split verdict last week. WVIA's Borys Krawczeniuk joins Sarah Scinto on Morning Edition to catch up.

After three days of deliberations, jurors convicted Joseph Atsus, Nicholas Dombek on most counts they faced and Damien Boland on all counts against him.

Deliberations scheduled to resume Thursday in the trial of accused theft ring members Nicholas Dombek, Damien Boland and Joseph and Alfred Atsus.

Closing arguments held Tuesday in federal art and memorabilia trial.

Dawn Trotta said Nicholas Dombek banged on her front door in September 2019, furious that her brother, Thomas, was cooperating with police in widespread thefts.

Lawyers for Nicholas Dombek, Damien Boland and brothers Joseph and Alfred Atsus portray Thomas Trotta as a liar, thief and exploiter of children.

Lindsay Berra, granddaughter of baseball Hall of Famer Yogi, and three members of boxing champion Tony Zale's family watched admitted thief Thomas Trotta tell of the thefts that deeply hurt them.

Thomas Trotta also details Keystone College theft, his criminal background and his friendship with other accused ring members.

Trooper Kyle Hnat said he took care to corroborate statements that ring leader Thomas Trotta. Eventually, police dropped him as a confidential informant because he kept committing burglaries, testimony shows.