A union judge has dismissed one of two charges against a retired Massachusetts lawyer accused of trying to sell septenary paintings he knew were stolen.
A trial began last week for Robert Mardirosian (mar-di-ROZ'-ee-an) of Falmouth on charges of possessing and transporting stolen goods. They include a Cezanne worth tens of millions of dollars.
Judge Mark Wolf dismissed the transport charge Monday. He says federal statutes do non apply to the channelise between Switzerland and England of little Joe paintings age after they were stolen.
Prosecutors say a former client of Mardirosian's stole the paintings from a Stockbridge house in 1978.
Mardirosian's attorney says his client was simply trying to return the paintings to their rightful owner and gather a finder's fee.
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