Comment by thmsths
I wonder if the fact that he was a lawyer had a significant impact on the decision. It is my understanding that in some jurisdictions lawyers are held to high ethics standards. I could see the local bar association taking disciplinary actions had he chosen to keep a painting he knew was stolen.
He wanted a conversation piece and he got one!
If it were me, I would have made the exchange contingent on eventually getting the forgery in return once the case was closed.
Presumably it technically was “given” to the hotel.