"Federal prosecutors stated that Erwin Bankowski and Karolina Bankowska commissioned an artist in Poland to create at least 200 forgeries, defrauding buyers of at least $2 million."
"The most profitable counterfeit, purportedly by Richard Mayhew, was sold by auction house DuMouchelles last October for $160,000, highlighting the scheme's success."
"Both defendants expressed remorse in court, with Bankowska admitting her conduct was wrong and her attorney noting she had placed over $1 million in an escrow account."
"US attorney Joseph Nocella Jr stated that for years, these defendants painted the art world with deception, impacting numerous galleries and auction houses."
Erwin Bankowski and Karolina Bankowska operated a counterfeiting scheme in New Jersey, selling forged artworks by famous artists. They commissioned a Polish artist to create over 200 fakes, defrauding buyers of at least $2 million. The most lucrative counterfeit, attributed to Richard Mayhew, sold for $160,000. Both individuals apologized in court and face potential prison time, restitution, and deportation. They were charged with wire fraud conspiracy and misrepresenting Native American-produced goods due to duplicating works by Fritz Scholder.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]