Three New York men have been indicted after they were caught trying to sell the original, hand-written lyrics to the Eagles’ Hotel California album.
The charges, filed Tuesday against Craig Inciardi, Edward Kosinski, and Glenn Horowitz, bring an end to a saga that began in 1970, when a writer reportedly stole 100 pages of lyrics and notes while interviewing the band, according to Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. The writer then sold the papers to Horowitz, who then sold it to Inciardi and Kosinski. Over the years, the latter two faked ownership records and attempted to sell the lyrics to auction houses and even the band’s Don Henley, police say. When police got involved, Horowitz claimed he’d gotten the lyrics from late Eagles drummer Glenn Frey.
Craig Inciardi — who, along with Edward Kosinski and Glenn Horowitz, was charged Tuesday in the 52-year-old case — is the curator for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum, Rolling Stone reports. Rock Hall President and CEO Joel Peresman says Inciardi has been suspended pending the outcome of his impending trial. “At this time we do not know whether Craig engaged in any wrongdoing,” Peresman says in a letter to Rock Hall members. “He will remain on leave pending the resolution of the third party internal investigation and the extent of the charges once the indictment is unsealed.”
The 100 pages of lyrics and notes, which are valued at $1 million, were originally stolen by a rock journalist in 1970, prosecutors say. He then peddled the papers to Horowitz, who then sold them to Inciardi and Kosinski, according to Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. Since then, Inciardi and Kosinski faked ownership records and attempted to sell the lyrics to auction houses, claiming they were the rightful owners, Bragg says.
Inciardi and Kosinski are facing one count each of fourth-degree conspiracy and first-degree criminal possession of stolen property, Bragg says. Horowitz has been charged with fourth-degree conspiracy and two counts of second-degree hindering prosecution, he adds.
