French auction workers convicted in vast theft scam

PARIS (AP) - A Paris court has convicted two auctioneers and 33 other people working for France's biggest auction house in a vast, long-running scam to steal thousands of valuable items worth millions of euros.

The works included a Courbet painting, Chagall and Matisse lithographs, and a 2.08-carat diamond. The case involved about 50 people who worked at Hotel Drouot, the oldest and most famous French auction house.

One auctioneer was handed a 12-month suspended prison term and a 30,000-euro ($33,500) fine, and the other an 18-month suspended prison term and a 25,000-euro fine. Two auctioneers were acquitted.

Of the 33 auction workers convicted, 19 were sentenced to prison terms from six months to 18 months, and the other 14 were given suspended sentences. Twenty-seven were fined. Eight auction workers were acquitted.