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Conn. mobster possibly linked to Gardner Museum art heist sent back to prison

The New England mobster considered a "person of interest" in one of the most mysterious unsolved cases in American history was sentenced to 54 months in prison for gun charges.

Robert Gentile denies he had anything to do with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist, but the feds are continuing to apply pressure.

Right now, the 81-year-old remains the only living person of interest in the world's biggest art heist.

LISTEN: New England's Unsolved Podcast: The Gardner Museum Heist

In March 1990, thieves disguised as Boston police got into the Gardner Museum and pulled off the heist which the feds believe local mobsters controlled.

As the FBI told New England's Unsolved in 2014, it is believed that Gentile - with ties to the Philadelphia mob - eventually got the artwork out of New England and into Philly, where it was offered up for sale in 2000. None of the art has been publicly seen since it disappeared.

MORE: Hartford gangster working with FBI on Gardner heist investigation failed polygraph

The feds have searched Gentile's Connecticut home where they found police paraphernalia and guns, but no artwork. They've applied pressure to get Gentile to talk, but he denies any involvement.

His lawyer things Gentile's treatment might impact what happens to the Gardner artwork.

PHOTOS: Artwork stolen from Isabella Gardner Museum

"You have to assume that people who are in possession of the paintings are members of the underworld and having seen what just happened to this gentleman who doesn't have the paintings, probably if they do, would be very cautious what they did with them," said

MORE: Gardner Museum extends $10 million reward for stolen art

The Gardner Museum is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the return of its stolen artwork. As far as we know, Robert Gentile is not doing anything to try and collect that.