Jan 06, 2022
By Gavin Day
The FBI has arrested a man of accused of stealing unpublished book manuscripts and it features a Canadian connection.
Among the pieces he’s accused of stealing, works by Can-Lit legend Margaret Atwood and actor Ethan Hawke.
The FBI says the thefts and attempted thefts occurred primarily over email, by a fraudster impersonating publishing professionals who targeted authors, editors, agents and literary scouts who might have drafts of novels and other books.
The man arrested is identified as 29-year old Filippo Bernardini, a rights coordinator for Simon & Schuster UK.
He was charged with wire fraud and identity theft after being arrested upon arrival at JFK Airport in New York.