Utah prosecutors say they’ll turn over additional records in Four Corners artifacts case

Prosecutors to turn over records in artifacts case

SALT LAKE CITY — Federal prosecutors in Utah are disclosing more about the confidential informant at the center of a two-year federal investigation into the looting of Southwestern artifacts.

In federal court filings Tuesday, U.S. attorneys in Salt Lake City said they’re giving defense attorneys copies of the informant’s agreement with FBI investigators, records of his payments and a copy of his criminal background check.

Much of that information was disclosed last month in Colorado court filings, including that the undercover operative, Ted Gardiner, received $162,000 in payments plus expenses.

Prosecutors say they won’t turn over certain items, including Gardiner’s 309-page address book.

More than 20 people face federal charges related to alleged artifacts trafficking.

A status hearing for many of the defendants is March 8.