Nazi Officer’s Daughter Caught With Stolen Painting Missing for 80 Years
come back to haunt someone: when someone’s actions from the past causes new problems in the present
In August, Dutch journalists discovered a long-hidden crime in a simple real estate ad. It was a painting by artist Giuseppe Ghislandi in photos of a home for sale in Argentina. The painting, stolen by the Nazis during World War II, had been missing for more than 80 years.
The owners of the home were the daughter of a Nazi officer, Patricia Kadgien, and her husband, Juan Carlos Cortegoso. After the war, Argentina became one of the places where Nazis escaped, and many looted paintings were taken there. For Kadgien, the crimes of her father have come back to haunt her. Instead of doing the right thing, she and her husband tried to cover up the crime. Police searched the house several times but could not find the painting. Only after many days and repeated raids did Kadgien hand it to the authorities. Later, the couple was charged and placed under house arrest.
The painting once belonged to Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch-Jewish art dealer who died while fleeing the Nazis. His heir has made a legal claim to recover it.
Sample sentences
He lied about his degree, and it came back to haunt him when the company checked his record.
She posted a rude comment years ago, and it came back to haunt her when people found it online.
Leaving a small leak unfixed came back to haunt them when the wall was damaged.
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