About

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Who We Are

Argus Cultural Property Consultants is a global risk management firm specializing in the protection and preservation of fine art, antiquities, antiques, high-end collectibles, and heritage sites. We fill a significant need in today’s cultural landscape for deep knowledge, innovative and practical solutions, and timely professional services. We are headquartered in Little Rock with presence in Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Our team comprises some of the most well-known names in the cultural heritage protection world with decades of experience and unparalleled expertise in art crime investigations, legal counsel, physical security, research, and training. Unlike huge law firms or sole proprietors, we are wholly dedicated to art and cultural heritage protection, leveraging a “deep bench” of talent to address all facets of safeguarding collections and sites.

Our Mission

Our mission is to protect, preserve, and recover vulnerable and at-risk art and other cultural heritage, and to provide education and training for its protection and preservation. Founder Tim Carpenter began Argus Cultural Property Consultants in 2023 to address critical vulnerabilities across the heritage and art market sectors where capacity is often limited and services are segregated.

Our vision is to serve as a single point of contact for a range of protection and preservation needs. We help clients identify and remedy protection gaps with solutions that are tailored, sustainable and industry best practices. We also assist clients in navigating the complexities of the art and cultural property legal landscape with trusted advice and actionable direction.

Our Values

We believe that art and other cultural heritage is the legacy of humankind and should be protected and preserved for future generations. This is our passion, not merely our business. We value:

Collaborative Approaches
Integrity Always
Timely and Professional Service
Absolute Discretion
Earning Your Trust (and Keeping It)

Our Expertise

Argus Cultural Property Consultants includes seven principals with expertise in art crime investigations, art law, museum and estate security, logistics, collections management, art history and archaeology, and foreign relations. Our team of extraordinary cultural heritage consultants draws on 230+ years of combined experience protecting and recovering cultural property for museums, governments, and private collectors and combines it with the latest research and technologies to deliver exceptional results.

Our Team

Argus Cultural Property Consultants brings together a uniquely qualified and robust cadre of principals and an extensive network of specialists and preferred vendors. We draw strength from our diverse professional backgrounds and wide range of experience. Our team features retired special agents and prosecutors from the world-renowned FBI Art Crime Team, the Homeland Security Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Program and the U.S. Department of Justice. We also have respected leaders in the museum and site security worlds, along with an expert in archaeology, collections, and foreign affairs, formerly of the U.S. Department of State.

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Tim Carpenter

Founder and Managing Director

Former head of the world-renowned FBI Art Crime Team, Tim has led some of the most important recoveries of cultural property in FBI history.

BIO

Retired Supervisory Special Agent and former head of the FBI’s elite Art Crime Team, Tim Carpenter has been a key figure in the U.S. Government’s efforts to combat cultural heritage crimes for well more than a decade. During his career, he was responsible for overseeing some of the most challenging and successful cultural property crime matters in U.S. history and was the lead investigator for the largest single recovery of looted cultural property in the history of the FBI. With 26 years of experience in local and federal law enforcement, including 16 years working art crime matters, Carpenter led innovation throughout the art crime community and has a reputation for getting things done.

Tim has dedicated himself to the protection of the world’s cultural heritage and the preservation of dignity for affected communities. At the core of his professional philosophy lies a strong belief that teamwork leads to success. His focus on building strong partnerships was crucial to the success of every project that he took on. That’s why he has assembled the best team in the business here at Argus to help our clients with whatever cultural heritage protection needs they might have.

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Geoffrey Kelly

Partner

As one of the original members of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, Geoff has vast experience managing high-profile cultural property investigations.

BIO

With more than thirty years of federal and state law enforcement experience, Geoff Kelly brings a perspective and skillset ideally suited to Argus CPC. As one of the original members of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, Geoff managed numerous high-profile investigations, utilizing sophisticated techniques, veteran interviewing skills, and good old-fashioned detective work.

Geoff has recovered more than $100 million in stolen artwork and cultural property; items as diverse as rare books, fine art, Native American artifacts, looted treasures – even Tom Brady’s stolen Super Bowl jerseys. An internationally recognized expert in the field of fine art and antiquities theft, Geoff has traveled the world, training domestic and international agencies and institutions on proven methods and best practices to deter art and cultural property theft.

Geoff has a proven track record of solving difficult cases, making him one of the most respected investigators in the field.  In addition to identifying the perpetrators of the 1990 robbery of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, he also solved the nation’s largest residential art burglary, ensuring the recovery of the lost artwork and conviction of the thief.  

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Catherine P. Foster, Ph.D.

Partner

Catherine has led projects with the United States and foreign governments, museums, international orgs, and NGOs to protect cultural heritage.

BIO

Dr. Catherine P. Foster is a foreign affairs expert, archaeologist, and former curator with two decades of experience in museum collections management, university teaching, archaeological fieldwork, and federal service in support of cultural heritage protection and preservation. As executive director of the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee, she led 16 federal agencies in efforts to protect cultural heritage at-risk from political instability, armed conflict, and disasters.

Catherine has negotiated 10 anti-trafficking agreements with countries around the world—primarily in the Middle East and North Africa—as part of the United States’ implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention. She has developed numerous trainings and outreach efforts with police, ministries of culture, museums, and NGOs, building lasting bridges between law enforcement and cultural heritage stewards.

Catherine understands the particular needs of museums and other cultural institutions when it comes to protection and care, having led collections inventory and preventive conservation projects.

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William Barkley

Partner

William has a proven track record of leading and managing diverse teams across the globe in security, investigations, logistics, tactical operations and training.

BIO

William T. Barkley is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience spanning military, law enforcement, and private security sectors. As a retired U.S. Army veteran and former state police officer, William has demonstrated expertise in security, investigations, logistics, and tactical operations. His extensive resume includes roles as a bomb technician, SWAT operator, and protective security specialist, proving his versatility in high-stakes situations. With a track record of leading diverse teams across the globe, he developed and managed teams in both corporate and para-military environments, operating in a wide range of conditions. His robust network of worldwide contacts attests to his ability to navigate complex environments and collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

As a Netflix Production Safety Consultant, William showcased his adaptability and proactive approach to safety and security. Here, he excelled at creating comprehensive risk assessments and developed strategies to implement creative safety protocols. William’s experience underscores his ability to lead, manage, and innovate in dynamic environments, making him a valuable asset in any security or investigative endeavor.

K.T. Newton

Partner

K.T. is an experienced trial attorney and recognized expert in cultural property law, having prosecuted and convicted individuals for theft, trafficking, fraud, and other crimes.

BIO

K.T. Newton is an experienced trial attorney, who served as a prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for 27 years. Prior to her federal service, she was a commercial litigator with a leading Philadelphia law firm. With the U.S. Attorney’s Office, K.T. handled complex cases involving corruption, white collar financial crime and money laundering, as well as international drug trafficking.

For the last 10 years, she was the dedicated prosecutor working with the Philadelphia FBI Art Crime Team members and advising FBI Art Crime Team special agents across the country, as well as working with Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection special agents on cultural property investigations and recoveries. K.T. prosecuted and convicted individuals for theft of cultural property, trafficking in counterfeit goods, as well as fraud and money laundering. She also led law enforcement teams in the repatriation of numerous objects of cultural heritage that had been stolen from cultural institutions and individuals.

A recognized expert in the area of cultural property law, K.T. has given presentations and participated in panels and training on this topic across the United States and abroad. She also taught a year-long intensive Trial Advocacy class at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law for several years.

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Anthony Amore

Senior Advisor

Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on art crime and security, Anthony has helped recover over 70 paintings and ethnographic art.

BIO

Anthony Amore is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on the topic of art crime and security. For nearly two decades he has been responsible for the protection of one of the country’s top-ranked art collections. During that time, he has worked alongside the FBI investigating the world’s largest art heist. He has helped recover over 70 paintings and pieces of ethnographic art. He has also conducted security assessments for other museums, libraries, universities, and private collections. He has written three national best-sellers on the topic of art crime. He currently serves on Northeastern University’s Advisory Board for protecting soft target institutions and on the Massachusetts State House Art Commission.

Prior to his work in the art world, Anthony was a special agent with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Security Division and, after 9/11, worked to rebuild security at Logan Airport with the newly formed Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration. He is the recipient of numerous performance-based award and was twice nominated by his superiors for a Service to America medal. He also led the security effort in response to the 2001 attempted terror attack by Richard Reid, the so-called “Shoebomber.” 

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Paul (PJ) Jarrett

Senior Advisor

Former manager of HSI’s Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Program, PJ has recovered thousands of cultural artifacts and conducted extensive training across the globe.

BIO

After 30 years in law enforcement, PJ Jarrett retired as a Special Agent for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), where he enjoyed a long and distinguished career.  Notably serving as the National Program Manager for HSI’s Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Program, PJ used his expertise managing cultural property investigations in the field, providing support to other investigators, developing relationships with subject matter experts and building extensive networks with domestic and foreign law enforcement partners.  During his time managing the Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Program, PJ was instrumental in the recovery and repatriation of thousands of cultural artifacts and conducted extensive cultural property training across the globe.

Prior to his time leading art and antiquity cases, PJ also served as National Program Manager for the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Investigations Division at HSI Headquarters. There, he provided strategic, programmatic, and operational guidance and support to HSI’s engagement in Joint Terrorism Task Forces across the United States.

PJ’s accomplishments are many, and he is a proven leader with a record of excellence.

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