A federal judge has dismissed one of two charges against a retired Massachusetts lawyer accused of trying to sell seven paintings he knew were stolen.

A trial began last week for Robert Mardirosian (mar-di-ROZ’-ee-an) of Falmouth on charges of possessing and transporting stolen goods. They include a Cezanne worth tens of millions of dollars.

Judge Mark Wolf dismissed the transportation charge Monday. He says federal statutes do not apply to the transfer between Switzerland and England of four paintings years after they were stolen.

Prosecutors say a former client of Mardirosian’s stole the paintings from a Stockbridge house in 1978.

Mardirosian’s attorney says his client was simply trying to return the paintings to their rightful owner and collect a finder’s fee.