An 80-year-old novelist and her husband are at the center of an international legal dispute, potentially facing trial in France for their alleged involvement in the theft and illegal sale of gold bars from an 18th-century shipwreck. Eleonor “Gay” Courter and her husband, Philip Courter, both residents of Florida, are accused of assisting a French diver in selling gold bars stolen from a shipwreck off the coast of Brittany. The couple, however, denies any wrongdoing.
The ship in question, Le Prince de Conty, was a French vessel engaged in trade with Asia when it sank in 1746. The shipwreck was discovered in 1974, and shortly thereafter, looters targeted the site following the discovery of a gold ingot. Decades later, in 2018, Michel L’Hour, head of France’s underwater archaeology agency, noticed a suspicious sale of gold through a U.S. auction house, prompting an investigation that led to the seizure and eventual repatriation of the artifacts to France in 2022.
The Investigation Unfolds
Authorities identified Eleonor Courter as the seller of the gold, which she claimed was given to her by French friends Annette May Pesty and Gerard Pesty. Annette Pesty had previously showcased the gold on the television program Antiques Roadshow in 1999, asserting it was acquired while diving near Cape Verde. However, investigators doubted this account and shifted their focus to Yves Gladu, Annette’s brother-in-law and an underwater photographer.
In 2022, Gladu admitted to stealing 16 gold bars from the shipwreck over the years, denying any connection to the Courters and alleging he sold the bars to a Swiss buyer. Despite his claims, investigators found evidence of a longstanding relationship between Gladu and the Courters, including trips together to Greece, the Caribbean, and French Polynesia. Authorities now suspect the Courters of possessing at least 23 gold bars, with 18 allegedly sold for over $192,000.
Legal Ramifications and Defense
The Courters were arrested in the United Kingdom three years ago and have been under house arrest since. A French prosecutor has requested that the Courters, Gladu, and Pesty face trial for their roles in the alleged theft and sale of the gold. If the trial proceeds, it is expected to take place next year.
Gregory Levy, the Courters’ attorney, insists his clients were unaware of any illegality, arguing that they did not benefit financially from the transactions.
“The Courters accepted because they are profoundly nice people,” Levy told AFP. “They didn’t see the harm as, in the United States, regulations for gold are completely different from those in France.”
Background and Broader Implications
Eleonor Courter, a prolific author with nearly a dozen books to her name, five of which are bestsellers, has lived a life far removed from criminal activity. The couple’s entanglement in this legal saga underscores the complexities of international law, particularly concerning historical artifacts and treasure troves.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting underwater cultural heritage, a matter of significant concern for archaeologists and historians. The UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2001, aims to safeguard such sites, but enforcement remains difficult, especially when artifacts cross international borders.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, potentially influencing international policies on the recovery and repatriation of cultural treasures.
Looking Ahead
The Courters’ case is a poignant reminder of the intricate web of legal, cultural, and ethical issues surrounding historical artifacts. As the world watches, the outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for the protection of underwater heritage and the responsibilities of those who find themselves in possession of such treasures.
For now, the couple remains in the UK, awaiting the decision of the French investigating magistrate. The trial, if it proceeds, promises to be a landmark case in the ongoing effort to balance the interests of history, heritage, and justice.