We are delighted to share a new conversation with art detective Doug Bort, Founder and Managing Partner of Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC. Doug generously shares updates about successful cases closed, new updates in the field, and tips that collectors can implement to help prevent art crime. Thank you Doug!

The Conversation:

Worthwhile Magazine (WM): Since our last conversation with you here in the magazine, some institutions, private individuals, and museums have recently begun provenance initiatives within their collections. However, many lack the resources to thoroughly review their holdings. How has Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC grown to position itself within the broader field of Art and Cultural Property research?

Doug Bort (DB): Since starting Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC in 2020 we have definitely seen an increase in public awareness of the importance of legitimate provenance, and the public expectation that sellers and museums know the provenance of works in their collections. Over the last four years, Odyssey’s team has grown in many ways, including provenance research. We work with some incredible researchers who utilize their wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as the latest databases, to help current possessors and prospective buyers determine if a true provenance history can be built or if the provenance provided is genuine.

WM: Navigating the identification and return of illegal or stolen art and cultural property can be challenging. In what ways has Odyssey helped streamline/facilitate/simplify this process for clients?

DB: When a client retains Odyssey to help locate an item or artwork that has been stolen, or help retrieve one of these items being illegally possessed, they benefit from the decades of experience that me and my team have in the fields of investigation and recovery. My personal experience, skills and accomplishments in these types of investigations as well as the subsequent return of property to the rightful owner is well documented. Many of our methods are proprietary, but our network of experts, connections with law enforcement and other officials both in the U.S. and abroad, and knowledge of foreign and domestic laws pertaining to cultural property theft gives Odyssey a significant advantage in these complicated investigations.

Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC logo, pictured with permission from Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC

WM: What are some ways that collectors and readers can help prevent art crime, or theft of their valuable personal items? Why is this issue something that should be tackled at the individual/community level?

DB: The most obvious way is protecting any valuable property that they currently possess. Physical security measures should be implemented for any physical structure used to store or display expensive items. These measures will depend largely on factors specific to the location and items being protected. In addition to physical security measures, they should make sure the items are properly insured. If the item is carried or worn on your person, be extra vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times. Many thieves work in groups and are very adept at spotting expensive watches, jewelry, and other items at a distance. They have many tricks at their disposal including distraction, subterfuge, and physical force to separate you from your property and flee before law enforcement can respond. Buyers also need to do their due diligence before purchasing items to assure that they aren’t stolen.

WM: What types of projects has Odyssey Global Consulting been involved in since our last discussion? What are some of your favorite ways to help clients with your expert professional services?

DB: Odyssey has been busy with many projects since our last discussion. We’ve been retained to provide authentication and research services to many clients who have inherited artworks and other items. Attorneys and insurance partners have retained us to conduct complex investigations into fraudulent activity and other matters. As a licensed Private Investigation firm, we provide expert services to clients in all types of investigations; however, our specialized knowledge in art related investigations has led to more clients utilizing us for these types of investigations. At Odyssey, we’re very passionate about what we do. We enjoy every project for its uniqueness and approach each with the same passion and detail.

WM: I’ve seen a number of posts on your social media accounts (LinkedIn and Instagram) promoting speaking engagements that Odyssey Global Consulting is involved in. What types of organizations ask you to present for them, and what topics do you present on? How can organizations contact you for a presentation?

DB: I’ve had the pleasure to speak at various events for several great organizations. I’ve presented at annual conferences for the International Society of Appraisers and the American Society of Appraisers, at the Ohio Museums Association and the New England Museum Association, as well as individual museums, historical societies, and many other venues. My specialty is in art investigations, but the topics vary based on the audience and the organization. It’s always a pleasure to conduct these presentations. Every audience is different and I always look forward to the Q & A sessions and discussions with the audience. Any organizations interested in inviting Odyssey for a speaking engagement can contact us through our website, or utilizing our contact information.

WM: How has the illicit market/art crime field changed since you first began working cultural property investigations?

DB: I feel like public awareness has increased in many ways. Many institutions that were victimized in the past tried to keep the thefts out of the public eye to prevent negative publicity. That has become harder to do recently with the increase in public awareness, media attention, and accountability expected of these institutions. Personally, I think that increased public awareness has been beneficial as it can make it harder for the thieves to conceal or dispose of stolen works if more people are aware of the theft. I believe more people have become aware of illicit artworks and other items being used in various financial fraud schemes as well and are now more cautious in their own financial matters.

On the other hand, technology is always changing and recently it appears to be changing at a historic pace. This constantly provides both criminals and investigators with new ways of perpetrating and detecting criminal activity. Artificial Intelligence, for example, is being utilized by criminals to further their activities. And like any new technology it can be used for ethical or unethical purposes. It is incredibly important for investigators like me to stay up to date to provide my clients with the best possible service.

WM: As Odyssey Global Consulting enters its fifth year of business, do you have any reflections on how your work has evolved and expanded since the early days of the firm?

DB: The last four years have been an incredible journey of growth for Odyssey as a firm, and for us as both individuals and a team. As a firm, our services, reputation, and resources have grown substantially. Recognition of our accomplishments has grown on an international level and has attracted more global clients. Our Odyssey team has also grown quite a bit in the last four years. Not only in the number of team members, but also in the expertise and individual skills each member brings to the team allowing us to take on bigger and more difficult projects. While I devote myself and my personal attention to every project, the growth of my team gives us the necessary diversity of skills and experience to tackle any project.

WM: You mentioned the growth of the OGC team. How has that growth been accomplished?

DB: I have a strong belief in the importance of diversity and inclusion when building a team. I believe that it isn’t just a benefit to the individual, but also to Odyssey as a firm as well as the clients we serve. As colleagues have gotten to know Odyssey, and me personally, over the last four years, this has given me the opportunity to build a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of men and women from all over the country, as well as associates and contacts abroad. Once a colleague is brought into the Odyssey team, I feel it’s very important to provide them the best working environment possible. This includes financial compensation that is commensurate with their skills and generally above expectations, as well as mentoring them on the investigative processes. I create an environment of mutual respect, safe exchange of ideas, and loyalty, and in return the team gives amazing effort and results.

WM: Welcome Melissa Metzgar! We’re delighted you have joined Doug at Odyssey as one of his team members! Question for you, Melissa: As a recent addition to the team this year, what has it been like to work for Doug? How does it compare to your other research experiences in the field of art crime and cultural heritage repatriation?

Melissa Metzgar (MM): Working for Doug has been incredibly refreshing. I’d be lying if I said that finding a position in art crime has been easy. I knew breaking into this field would be challenging. However, I feel as though with OGC, I’m not just researching art crime, but applying and experiencing a new set of skills and perspectives in the research process. My previous experiences with AUR, ARCH, JCU, ARCA, UNICRI, and others, have equipped my toolbox well for intensive academic and archival research, educational programs, and unpredictable hours. With Doug and OGC, I’m gaining a new perspective of the antiquities trade, the exhaustive research it entails to counter it, and a closer look at the repatriation process. Since joining the team, I’ve seen Doug’s law enforcement background manifest as a legally-adept perspective that prioritizes transparency and supportive team dynamics—an essential part to the ethics behind this type of research and the effectiveness of their projects. Coming from largely academic experiences, Doug’s legal knowledge and first-hand experience with cultural property cases essentially makes me, and the other researchers on the team, the Robin to his Batman.

WM: Has access to information impacted any of your research endeavors? What is it like to research this field and these activities?

MM: Projects in this field often require extended periods of time and input from multiple experts to conduct research thoroughly and ethically. This is especially important when information gaps are present, as are typical of object provenance records. Objects pass through so many hands in their illicit journeys, documented or not, it is essential to resolve all of these information gaps or inconsistencies in the pursuit of verifying rightful ownership. It wouldn’t be art crime if there weren't difficulties in research and unanswered questions, so having a multidisciplinary team who can each approach their research gaps and problems differently is incredibly beneficial for resolving them and getting objects where they need to be.

WM: Thanks, Melissa! Back to you Doug with another question for you: I recently saw an article in The Art Newspaper concerning the digital Museum of Looted Antiquities, and the cultural artifact pictured looked very familiar from looking at your website. Is there anything you are allowed to publicly share about your role in this?

Screenshot of the Odyssey Global Consulting LLC website, available online at https://www.odysseyglobalconsulting.com/testimonial, pictured with permission of Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC

DB: Yes. That was an investigation I conducted while I was a Federal Agent working for Homeland Security Investigations. It involved a bronze sculpture of Ganesha, which had been looted from a temple in Tamil Nadu, India and illegally imported into the U.S. I was one of many people both in law enforcement and the private sector involved in repatriating that sculpture to India. It was a very rewarding case because I knew how much it meant to the people of India and especially Tamil Nadu to have it returned home.

I would encourage your readers to visit the Museum of Looted Antiquities as well. Their mission is to preserve, display, and study information about antiquities that have been repatriated since 1950. They also collect unique data about the illicit antiquities trade which is essential to understanding a black market that the United Nations recently recognized as a global security issue. Jason Felch and his team are doing great work in a very important area of need.

WM: It’s been almost five years since Odyssey has been up and running. In what ways do you foresee OGC evolving over the next five years?

DB: I think that Odyssey will continue to grow over the next five years. With each successful project our client base and reputation for detailed professional results also grows. More international clients are reaching out to us as they realize Odyssey’s reach and professional results transcend international boundaries. I plan to continue to build our great team to provide our clients with services that other firms can’t match. We love what we do at Odyssey and dedicate ourselves to every client and project that we take on. The Odyssey Team is very excited about what awaits us over the horizon.

WM: What would you tell yourself at the beginning of your career? If you could speak to yourself back in the early days when you were starting out as a cop, do you have any advice for him?

DB: That is such an interesting question. As much as I’d love to go back and give “Young Doug” some advice to make the journey a little easier, I don’t think I would because the challenges I overcame as a Police Officer and Federal Agent have enriched my abilities and prepared me for the challenges I face at Odyssey. Although I brought that knowledge and experience as an investigator into Odyssey, all the aspects of operating a business in the private sector had to be learned over the last four years. I’m so grateful for the many great mentors and friends who have aided me in that growth and continue to do so. If I were tempted to give my younger self any advice, it would probably center around early business lessons learned.

WM: How can people reach you, and where can they find you online?

DB: We can be contacted through the Odyssey Global Consulting website: www.odysseyglobalconsulting.com

Logo of Odyssey Global Consulting, pictured with permission from Odyssey Global Consulting

Or directly at the phone number and email below:
(330) 441-1617
doug@odysseyglobalconsulting.com

We also invite you to follow us on social media where we regularly post educational content:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odysseygcllc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-bort-50446978/

Odyssey Global Consulting, LLC
1114 North Court Street, #182
Medina, OH 44256

Many thanks to Doug Bort and Melissa Metzgar for chatting with Worthwhile Magazine! You can learn more about Doug’s business at www.odysseyglobalconsulting.com.

How to Prevent and Solve Art Crime: New Updates from Art Detective Doug Bort of Odyssey Global Consulting

The Conversation:

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