They seem more concerned about promoting their Museum of the Bible regardless where exhibits came from.
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A Daily Beast report tonight reveals that based on information from several law enforcement sources, apparently the owners of Hobby Lobby–the Green family–have been purchasing ancient artifacts from Iraq for the planned Museum of the Bible.
The investigation was triggered by a shipment of 200-300 clay tablets that USA customs agents seized in 2011 en route from Israel to Oklahoma City, according to the report. The ancient cuneiform block writing on the tablets dates them back to millenniums-old Iraq. Museum president Cary Summers confirmed federal seizure of the cuneiform tablets and the ongoing investigation.
If the Greens are prosecuted, they will likely be compelled to hand over the tablets to the United States government.
The founders of Hobby Lobby – arts and crafts, but for Jesus – have reportedly been the subject of a years-long federal investigation over suspicions that they have been illegally importing cultural artifacts from Iraq for a museum the family was set to open in Washington in 2017.
According to The Daily Beast, which first reported the story about the investigation, people who are trying to import artifacts that “lack proper provenance”, meaning they should not have left their country of origin, often lie in order to get their shipment past customs. “Sometimes this stuff just sits, and nobody does anything with it”, Summers told the Daily Beast.
“Hobby Lobby is cooperating with the investigation related to certain biblical artifacts”, Hobby Lobby said in a statement.
In an interview due to appear in a forthcoming issue of the Atlantic, Steve Green, the chief executive of Hobby Lobby, denied knowingly acquiring illegal antiquities but acknowledged that a few could have found their way into the collection.
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When the Museum of the Bible opens in late 2017, it pledges to have 72 hours-worth of exhibitions and experiences for visitors spanning its eight floors. The craft store became a national talking point after the Supreme Court agreed in 2014 that owners of closely-held corporations like Hobby Lobby couldn’t be compelled under the Affordable Care Act to provide contraception to employees if it offended their religious beliefs.
