A Miami art dealer was sentenced for selling forged Andy Warhol artwork.
The South Florida art dealer who used fake invoices, fabricated authenticity documents, and counterfeit stamps to sell bogus Andy Warhol artwork to unwary buyers received a 46-month federal prison sentence. U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman imposed the sentence on Leslie Roberts, 62, of Miami, after he pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy.
According to court documents, Roberts ran Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, where he sold fake artwork that he misrepresented as original works by famed artist Andy Warhol. To deceive customers, Roberts claimed that he purchased the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts (AWF) and presented phony invoices ostensibly issued by the foundation.
Roberts also used falsified authentication bearing the name of the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc., as well as alleged signatures of its authorized representatives, to make the counterfeit artwork appear authentic. Roberts also used false AWF identifying numbers imprinted on the backs of the artwork, as well as counterfeit stamps, to provide the illusion of legitimacy.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated that Leslie Roberts used his Miami art gallery to defraud buyers by selling forged Andy Warhol artwork and utilizing false documentation. “He took advantage of the faith that collectors have in art dealers and the authenticity of the paintings they purchase. Today’s 46-month prison term sends a strong message: fraud is fraud, whether it occurs on Wall Street or in an art museum. “Those who profit from deception will be held accountable.”
As part of the plot, Roberts engaged Carlos Rodriguez Melendez to act as an employee of a New York-based auction house and falsely authenticate artwork in order to conceal that it was fake. Rodriguez Melendez also pled guilty to conspiracy to conduct wire fraud for his role in the scam.
“Art fraud undermines confidence in the legitimate art market and victimizes buyers who rely on the authenticity of the works they purchase,” stated Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “This sentence demonstrates that individuals who exploit fake artwork, bogus paperwork, or misleading strategies to benefit illegally will face consequences. The FBI remains dedicated to investigating sophisticated fraud schemes and collaborating with our partners to protect the public and the integrity of our financial and commercial systems.”
The FBI Art Crime Team and FBI West Palm Beach investigated the South Florida case. The case was pursued by Assistant US Attorney Daniel Rosenfeld and former Assistant US Attorney Lindsey Lazopolous Friedman. Nicole Grosnoff, Assistant United States Attorney, handles asset forfeiture cases.
Leave a Reply