Kim Kardashian named in ‘looted’ Roman statue forfeiture claim

"Keeping up with the Kardashians" star Kim Kardashian has been named in court filings alleging she was involved in importing an ancient Roman statue that US officials say was stolen from Italy.

According to the court documents, the US government has sought the forfeiture of a "looted, smuggled and illegally exported" antique believed to be delivered to the reality star, reports CNN.

A spokesperson for Kim Kardashian has however denied the allegations by stating that she "never purchased this piece" and that "this is the first that she has learned of its existence."

In a statement to CNN, the spokesperson briefed that "We believe that it may have been purchased using her name without authorization and because it was never received (and) she was unaware of the transaction."

"We encourage an investigation and hope that it gets returned to the rightful owners," the spokesperson added.

The filing identifies the limestone sculpture as a "Fragment of Myron's Samian Athena" dating back to the 1st or 2nd century AD. It was seized by US Customs and Border Protection at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport in June 2016 as part of a shipment of "Antiques & Modern Furniture & Decorations Objects." The 40-item shipment weighed more than 5 tons and has been collectively valued at over $745,000.