Art Bust

Art Bust is an investigative podcast series where UK author and arts journalist, Ben Lewis, explores the murkier side of the art world, where scandals, cons, cultural looting, and big bucks reign.

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Episodes

Introducing...Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer - Episode 1

A deadly bioterror attack shook the U.S. and triggered one of the FBI’s most complex investigations. Aftermath takes you inside the high-stakes hunt for the Anthrax killer and the investigative breakthrough that cracked the case. Episode 1: Isolated Incident - Right after 9/11, the FBI scrambles to stop a second-wave attack using a deadly toxin. When a Florida photo editor is poisoned by a rare bacteria, agents uncover a possible al-Qaeda plot to spread anthrax from the air. But are they already...

Apr 15, 2025•36 min

You Might Also Like: The Confessions of Anthony Raimondi

In 1978, Pope John Paul I was found dead in his bed just 33 days after he was elected. The official story is that he suffered a fatal heart attack. But in the years since his death, some have claimed he was murdered to cover up crimes in the Vatican. The question of the Pope’s death has never been definitively answered, but there is one man who claims to know the truth. A man from one of New York City’s crime families who has deep ties to the Italian mafia. He was there the day of the Pope’s dea...

Jun 18, 2024•33 min

Don Miller's Basement- Part 2

As the story of Don Miller’s Basement concludes, we grapple with the larger questions and themes that his legacy begs.  Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Sara Winter- Producer  Alexis Green- Associate Producer Jacob Lewis- Associate Produc...

Aug 04, 2021•24 min•Ep. 8

Don Miller's Basement- Part 1

In the first of two parts, we uncover the macabre connection between white entitlement and a jaw dropping collection in rural Indiana that includes human remains. Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Sara Winter- Producer  Alexis Green- Associate ...

Aug 04, 2021•24 min•Ep. 7

Hunter/ Toye Story- Part 2

We conclude with the story of a decades-long forgery by spotlighting the charismatic forger who finally meets his match. Will justice prevail this time? Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Alexis Green - Producer Mitchell Stuart - Mix and Sound Design...

Jul 28, 2021•34 min•Ep. 6

Hunter/ Toye Story- Part 1

In the first of two parts, we unpack a decades-long forgery scam by diving into the life of the targeted artist, renowned and self-taught Louisiana painter, Clementine Hunter. Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Alexis Green - Producer Mitchell Stuart...

Jul 28, 2021•31 min•Ep. 5

The Golden Coffin

What’s the connection between a viral picture of America’s biggest reality TV star, The Met Gala, and a global art smuggling syndicate? The answer will surprise you.  Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Aynsley Vogel- Sr. Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Sara Winter- Pr...

Jul 21, 2021•31 min•Ep. 4

Nazi Art Theft

We follow an emotional and riveting story that begins on a train to Munich in 2010 before taking unexpected turns to 1940s Nazi Germany and present-day New York.  Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Aynsley Vogel- Sr. Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Sara Winter- Produc...

Jul 21, 2021•34 min•Ep. 3

Benin Bronzes

We dig into the timely issue of looted African artifacts, the calls to return them, and the prominent museums at the center of it all, with a focus on the Benin Bronzes.  Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. Producer Alexis Green- Associate Producer Mitche...

Jul 14, 2021•35 min•Ep. 2

Inigo Philbrick

The line between ambition and fraud can get murky in the art world. We explore that gray area with the story of a handsome young art dealer whom authorities accuse of scheming his way to the top. Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio Ben Lewis- Host, Producer Stuart Coxe- Executive Producer Kathleen Goldhar- Executive Producer Katrina Onstad- Executive Producer Jago Lee- Executive Producer Anysley Vogel- Sr. Producer Debbie Pacheco- Sr. ...

Jul 14, 2021•38 min•Ep. 1

Trailer

Art Bust is an investigative podcast series where UK author and arts journalist, Ben Lewis, explores the murkier side of the art world, where scandals, cons, cultural looting, and big bucks reign See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Jul 12, 2021•3 min

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