Matthew Bogdanos

Colonel Matthew Bogdanos (Ματθαίος Βογδάνος) is an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan (since 1988), author, and a colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. In 2003, while on active duty in Marine Corps, he led the investigation into the looting of Iraq's National Museum, and was subsequently awarded the National Humanities Medal for his efforts. He had previously gained national attention for the prosecution of Sean Combs, who was acquitted of weapons and bribery charges in a 2001 trial stemming from a 1999 nightclub shootout.

Biography
Bogdanos is a native New Yorker who attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School and waited tables in his family’s Greek restaurant while growing up in lower Manhattan.

In November 2005, he was awarded a National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush. Has also received the 2004 Public Service Award from the Hellenic Lawyers of America, the 2006 Distinguished Leadership Award from the Washington DC Historical Society, and a 2007 Proclamation from the City of New York. Released back into the Marine Reserves in October 2005, he returned to the District Attorney’s Office, and continues the hunt for stolen antiquities. A former middleweight boxer with a record of 23-3, he still boxes for the New York City Police Department’s Widows and Children’s Fund.

Publications



 * Thieves of Baghdad is his first-hand account of his journey to recover Iraq’s lost treasures. His royalties from the sale of the book go to the Iraq Museum.







Awards
On May 7, 2011, Bogdanos was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.