Four Men Charged in Connection with 2019 Theft of $6 Million Gold Toilet Art Installation from Blenheim Palace

The golden artwork, named "America", was previously displayed at Guggenheim Museum in New York and was stolen from Blenheim Palace just two days after its installation. The four suspects, facing charges of burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property, will appear before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Nov. 28. However, the toilet has not been recovered.

Four men, identified as James Sheen, Michael Jones, Fred Doe, and Bora Guccuk have been charged for their involvement in the theft of a $6 million golden toilet from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The gold toilet, a piece of art titled 'America' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen just two days after it was installed in the palace. Prior to the Blenheim Palace, the fully functioning toilet had been on display at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Despite making seven arrests over the years, no one had been formally charged with the burglary until now. The accused will appear before the Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Nov. 28.
The theft caused significant damage and flooding to the palace due to the toilet being plumbed into its building's plumbing system. To this day, the golden toilet has not been found.
The artwork was conceived as a satire of excessive wealth. When it was exhibited at the Guggenheim, visitors were allowed a three-minute slot to use the toilet, and over 100,000 people took this opportunity.