The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World (30 page)

26.
Susan Cohen, “The Art of the Bogus,”
Washington Post Magazine,
July 18, 1993, W18.

27.
Charles Storch, “Foiled by Fakes: Donald Austin’s Trial Showed that as a Dealer in Forged Art Prints, He Was a Pretty Good Ex-Barber,” Tempo,
Chicago Tribune,
November 1, 1993, C1.

28.
Ibid.

29.
Terry Pristin, “Claremont Man Charged with Forging Artwork,” Metro,
Los Angeles Times,
August 5, 1989, 1.

30.
Levin, “Confessions of Art Fraud King Michael Zabrin.”

31.
Catterall,
The Great Dalí Art Fraud and Other Deceptions,
346–47.

32.
Ibid., 354–57.

33.
Levin, “Confessions of Art Fraud King Michael Zabrin.”

34.
Ibid.

35.
Details of the crimes for which Zabrin, Amiel Jr., and the others were convicted are from Michael Zabrin’s Sentencing Memorandum and Government’s Response to Defendant’s Sentencing Memorandum: United States v. Michael Zabrin, 07 CR 521-5 (N.D. Ill., East. Div.); and Superseding Indictment: United States v. James Kennedy and Leon Amiel, Jr., 08 CR 009 (N.D. Ill., East. Div.)

36.
Government’s Response to Defendant’s Sentencing Memorandum:
Zabrin,
4.

37.
Ibid.

38.
“Selling Fake Art Gets Man Two Years,”
Chicago Tribune,
June 16, 2011, 6.

Chapter 10: The Telescam

1.
“About Us,” Fine Art Treasures website, retrieved August 5, 2014,
www.finearttreasures.net/about_us.htm
, from
https://web.archive.org/web/20070625054821/http://finearttreasures.net/
.

2.
Ibid.

3.
Daniel Grant, “Ink-Jet Art Runs Gamut from Low Brow to High Class,”
Baltimore Sun,
January 25, 1999, retrieved August 11, 2014,
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1999-01-25/entertainment/9901250193_1_giclee-ink-jet-prints-jet-printer
.

4.
John O’Brien, “About,” website, n.d., retrieved August 11, 2014,
http://www.johnobrienartist.com/pages/about.html
.

5.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed,
CNBC, season 6, episode 8, original airdate March 14, 2012.

6.
Ibid.

7.
Ibid.

8.
J. Michael Kennedy, “Not a Pretty Picture: Lured By Hopes of Riches from A New Reproduction Process, Artists Say They Were Scammed When Unauthorized Copies Flooded the Market,”
Los Angeles Times,
January 18, 2007, A1.

9.
Park West Gallery Website, “Art Auctions,”
http://www.parkwestgallery.com/art-auctions
.

10.
Jori Finkel, “Art Auctions on Cruise Ships Lead to Anger, Accusations and Lawsuits,”
New York Times,
July 16, 2008, retrieved August 13, 2014,
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/arts/design/16crui.html?ref=opinion
.

11.
Albert Scaglione, “Auctions in the Art World,” letter to the editor,
New York Times,
August 9, 2008, retrieved August 13, 2014,
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/l10auction.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
.

12.
Paul Motter, “Guide to Cruise Ship Art Auctions,” Fox News, September 27, 2013, retrieved August 13, 2014,
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/09/27/guide-to-cruise-ship-art-auctions/
.

13.
Kelly Cramer, “The Art of Piracy,”
Broward Palm Beach New Times,
November 9, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2014,
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2006-11-09/news/the-art-of-piracy/full/
.

14.
Wendy Thomas Russell, “Cruise Line Lawsuit Takes Attorney into Uncharted Waters,”
Daily News,
April 13, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2015,
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CRUISE+LINE+LAWSUIT+TAKES+ATTORNEY+INTO+UNCHARTED+WATERS+LEGAL%3A
. . . -a0177971849.

15.
Ibid.

16.
Kennedy, “Not a Pretty Picture.”

17.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed.

18.
Ibid.

19.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, Press Release, “La Canada Woman Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Selling Millions of Dollars of Fake Art through Nationwide TV Art Auction Program,” April 6, 2010.

20.
The story of Myron and Mary Temchin comes from a signed document prepared by the pair as part of their report of the fraud, “Fraud in Advertising and Selling Fine Art on Television Report by Myron and Mary Temchin from Memory 12/8/05,” CNBC, retrieved August 13, 2014,
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/CNBC/Sections/CNBC_TV/CNBC_US/Shows/_Documentaries_Specials/American_Greed/Season_06/Episode_57/Cover/SKMBT_C45212021009480.pdf
, and from “Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed.

21.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed.

22.
“Fraud in Advertising and Selling Fine Art on Television.”

23.
Ibid.

24.
Ibid.

25.
Visual Arts and the Law 11th Annual Conference, registration pamphlet, faculty listing, retrieved August 13, 2014,
http://www.cle.com/upcoming/PDFs/SFOART09.pdf
.

26.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed.

27.
Ibid.

28.
Declarations of Justin Lundberg and William H. Woodard: Fine Art Network, Inc. v. James Mobley et al., case no. LC073854, Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Northwest District.

29.
Declaration of Thomas E. Keith: Charlene Mitchell v. Kristine Eubanks et al., case no. EDCV 06-48 RSWL(FMOx) (C.D. Cal.).

30.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed;
“Web Extras, Forged Certificates,” retrieved February 2, 2015,
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000078145
.

31.
Ibid.

32.
United States v. Kristine Eubanks, CR No. 07-00154 (C.D. Cal.).

33.
Kennedy, “Not a Pretty Picture.”

34.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed.

35.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, “La Canada Woman Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison.”

36.
Cramer, “The Art of Piracy.”

37.
“Fine Arts Treasury Gallery,”
American Greed.

Chapter 11: The Internet

1.
Lauren Indvik, “Forrester: U.S. Online Retail Sales to Hit $370 Billion by 2017,” Mashable.com, March 12, 2013, retrieved September 14, 2014,
http://mashable.com/2013/03/12/forrester-u-s-ecommerce-forecast-2017/
.

2.
“Number of Internet Users Worldwide Approaching 3 Billion,”
VOA News,
May 6, 2014, retrieved September 14, 2014,
http://www.voanews.com/content/number-of-internet-users-worldwide-approaching-3-billion/1908968.html
.

3.
Ryan Moore, eBay’s lead manager for business communication, e-mail interview, September 28, 2014.

4.
eBay auction for Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, retrieved September 14, 2014,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrari-Other-F12berlinetta-F12-Berlinetta-Tailor-Made-Matte-Alcantara-High-Grip-Carbon-Fiber-LED-/181508686346?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2a42c2c20a&item=181508686346&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
.

5.
eBay auction, Canada art 1875 historical RCMP oil painting, retrieved September 14, 2014,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CANADA-ART-1875-HISTORICAL-RCMP-OIL-PAINTING-D-C-GROSE-AMERICAN-CANADIAN-INDIAN-/290507191333?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item43a393f425
.

6.
eBay auction,
The Evangelist Matthew
oil painting, retrieved September 14, 2014,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Evangelist-Matthew-Oil-painting-attributed-to-Rembrandt-van-Rijn-/171358701959?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item27e5c64987
.

7.
Search conducted on September 15, 2014, at 2034 hours EST.

8.
“L. S. Lowry—His Life and Career,” The Lowry, retrieved September 15, 2014,
http://www.thelowry.com/ls-lowry/his-life-and-work/
.

9.
Robert Mendick and Claire Duffin, “Rogue’s Gallery of Fake Art on eBay,”
Telegraph,
June 29, 2014, retrieved September 16, 2014,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/10933016/Rogues-gallery-of-fake-art-on-eBay.html
; Neil Atkinson, “Fake Ashley Jackson Pictures Offered for Sale on eBay,”
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
June 30, 2014, retrieved September 15, 2014,
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/fake-ashley-jackson-pictures-offered-7347378
.

10.
Robert Mendick, “I Churn Out Fake Lowrys to Sell on eBay for Thousands, Amateur Artist Admits,”
Telegraph,
July 6, 2014, retrieved September 16, 2014,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10948800/I-churn-out-fake-Lowrys-to-sell-on-eBay-for-thousands-amateur-artist-admits.html
.

11.
Atkinson, “Fake Ashley Jackson Pictures Offered for Sale on eBay.”

12.
Details of the criminal scheme of Michael Little come from the Complaint of Violation in United States v. Michael Little, no. MJ13-211 (W.D. Wash. April 23, 2013).

13.
Complaint: United States v. Michael Little, MJ 13 211 (W.D.W.S April 23, 2013).

14.
Ibid.

15.
Ibid.

16.
Levi Pulkkinen, “Dealer of Chihuly Fakes Sentenced,”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
November 20, 2013, retrieved September 22, 2014,
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Dealer-of-Chihuly-fakes-sentenced-4994503.php
.

17.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington, Press Release, “Renton Man Who Sold Fake Dale Chihuly Art Online Sentenced to Five Months in Prison for Wire Fraud,” November 20, 2013.

18.
Sealed Complaint: United States v. John Re, 14 MAG 1391 (S.D.N.Y. June 19, 2014).

19.
Chary Southmayd, “USS Deep Quest & John Re,”
John Re—NY Art Expert
(blog), April 28, 2009, retrieved September 20, 2014,
http://sentient123.wordpress.com/
.

20.
Jennifer Gould Keil, “Painter Charged with Making Fake Jackson Pollock Paintings,”
New York Post,
July 1, 2014, retrieved September 20, 2014,
http://nypost.com/2014/07/01/painter-charged-with-making-fake-jackson-pollock-paintings/
.

21.
“John Re Art Connaisseur [
sic
],” blog entry, nicolehadley.wordpress.com, May 9, 2009, retrieved September 20, 2014.

22.
Sealed Complaint: United States v. John Re, 14 MAG 1391 (S.D.N.Y. June 19, 2014)

23.
Information related to the Sedona affidavit is from the Sealed Complaint:
Re.

24.
Ibid.

25.
Ibid.

26.
Ibid.

27.
Ibid.

28.
Ibid.

29.
Ibid.

30.
Ibid.

31.
Ibid.

32.
Ibid.

33.
“Other Terms,” eBay Help, n.d., retrieved September 21, 2014,
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/bidding-overview.html
.

34.
“What Are the Guidelines?” eBay Authenticity Disclaimers, n.d., retrieved September 21, 2014,
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/authenticity-disclaimers.html
.

35.
“California Bar Journal Discipline Summaries: Kenneth Andrew Walton,” State Bar of California, February 8, 2002, retrieved September 15, 2014,
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/192272
.

36.
Ibid.

37.
Judith H. Dobrzynski, “Online Bid Soars to $135,805, Provenance Not Guaranteed,”
New York Times,
May 9, 2000, retrieved September 21, 2014,
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/09/business/online-bid-soars-to-135805-provenance-not-guaranteed.html
.

38.
“California Bar Journal Discipline Summaries: Kenneth Andrew Walton.”

39.
Dobrzynski, “Online Bid Soars to $135,805, Provenance Not Guaranteed.”

40.
Judith H. Dobrzynski, “FBI Opens Investigation of eBay Bids,”
New York Times,
June 7, 2000, retrieved September 21, 2014,
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/07/business/fbi-opens-investigation-of-ebay-bids.html
.

41.
Dan Glaister, “A Brush with the Law,”
Guardian,
August 1, 2006, retrieved September 21, 2014,
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2006/aug/02/art.crime
.

42.
R. V. Scheide, “Prisoner of Love,” newsreview.com, April 25, 2002, retrieved September 15, 2014,
http://www.newsreview.com/reno/prison-of-love/content?oid=17922
.

43.
Glaister, “A Brush with the Law.”

44.
“The Internet Crime Complaint Center Receives 3 Millionth Complaint,” press release, Internet Crime Complaint Center, May 19, 2014, retrieved July 20, 2014,
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2014/140519.aspx
.

45.
Lizzie Crocker, “Why eBay Is an Art Forger’s Paradise,” Beaststyle,
Daily Beast,
August 18, 2014, retrieved September 22, 2014,
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/19/why-ebay-is-an-art-forgers-paradise.html
.

46.
Moore, e-mail interview.

47.
Crocker, “Why eBay Is an Art Forger’s Paradise.”

48.
Moore, e-mail interview.

49.
“More Resources—Law Enforcement,” eBay, n.d., retrieved September 22, 2014,
http://pages.ebay.com/SECURITYCENTER/LawEnforcementCenter.html
.

Epilogue

1.
“Russian Art Expert to Remain under House Arrest in Divisive Fraud Case,” Russian Legal Information Agency, September 16, 2014, retrieved October 14, 2014,
http://rapsinews.com/news/20140916/272120006.html
.