Belgian Art Trafficking Expert Benoît Schoonbroodt Reinstated After Dismissal Over Tell-All Book
Benoît Schoonbroodt, an author and federal economic inspection officer from Belgium, has been reinstated following a legal dispute regarding his book, 'Les secrets du marché de l'art en Belgique,' which revealed abuses in the Brussels art market. Although his superiors were aware of the publication, a complaint resulted in his suspension in October 2024. A disciplinary appeals chamber determined in April 2025 that there were no valid reasons for sanctions, yet Minister of Economy David Clarinval dismissed him in June 2025. The Council of State ruled in favor of Schoonbroodt, suspending the dismissal. On 5 July 2026, Clarinval annulled the dismissal, but Schoonbroodt was reassigned within the Federal Public Service Economy. The Art Research Team was established on 1 October 2022, reviving the federal police's Art and Antiquities unit.
Key facts
- Benoît Schoonbroodt was suspended in October 2024 after publishing 'Les secrets du marché de l'art en Belgique' under the pseudonym Bernard Staessens.
- The book, published by Editions Racine in 2024, exposed Brussels as a hub for art trafficking, forgeries, and illicit operations.
- A complaint from the Chambre royale belge des Antiquaires triggered disciplinary action.
- In April 2025, the disciplinary appeals chamber found the grievances insufficient, but Minister David Clarinval dismissed him in June 2025.
- The Council of State ruled in Schoonbroodt's favor, leading to a royal decree on 5 July 2026 annulling the dismissal.
- Schoonbroodt was reinstated but reassigned to a different department, not his former art market role.
- The federal police's Art and Antiquities unit was dissolved on 1 January 2022 and recreated as the Art Research Team on 1 October 2022.
- The Art Research Team, led by Laurence Massy, focuses on coordination and databases like ARTIST, not field investigations.
Entities
Artists
- Benoît Schoonbroodt
- Bernard Staessens
- David Clarinval
- Lucas Verhaegen
- Laurence Massy
- Gilles Bechet
Institutions
- Inspection économique
- Conseil d'État
- Chambre royale belge des Antiquaires
- Editions Racine
- Service public fédéral Économie
- Police fédérale
- Art Research Team
- DJSOC
- INTERPOL
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- Belgique
- Bruxelles