Introduction to the Case
The owner of a Coconut Grove art gallery raided by the FBI is facing charges related to the sale of fake Andy Warhol artwork, according to new court documents.
Miami Fine Art Gallery on Commodore Plaza was targeted by the FBI on Wednesday, as agents were seen working under tents outside the business and packing up various pieces of artwork.
Charges and Indictment
An indictment obtained by NBC6 on Thursday shows gallery owner Leslie Howard Roberts is among three people facing charges including money laundering, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to the indictment filed this month, Roberts sold art from the gallery that he fraudulently represented were original pieces created by Andy Warhol, falsely claiming he acquired the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
Details of the Scheme
To make them appear to be authentic Warhol pieces, Roberts used forged authentication documents purportedly provided by the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board and used fraudulent identification numbers and fake stamps to create the appearance of authenticity, the indictment said.
He even provided to one victim fake invoices that claimed to be from the Warhol Foundation, the indictment said.
Roberts, 62, received over 100 wire payments from victims involving hundreds of thousands of dollars between April of 2023 and May of 2024, the indictment said.
Co-Conspirators
The indictment names a second defendant, 37-year-old Carlos Miguel Rodriguez Melendez, along with a third defendant whose name is redacted, who Roberts allegedly conspired with and who he claimed were employees of a New York-based auction company to fraudulently authenticate the artwork.
Arrest and Court Appearance
NBC6 reached out to the gallery on Wednesday and was waiting to hear back.
The US. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida said Roberts and Rodriguez Melendez were arrested Wednesday and appeared in federal court. An arraignment is scheduled for April 21.
Conclusion
The case against Leslie Howard Roberts and his co-conspirators highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of artwork, especially when dealing with high-value pieces by famous artists like Andy Warhol. The use of forged documents and fake authentication methods can have serious consequences, both financially and legally. As the case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder to art buyers and collectors to be cautious and thorough in their research and due diligence.
FAQs
Q: What is the name of the art gallery raided by the FBI?
A: The gallery is called Miami Fine Art Gallery, located on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove.
Q: What charges is Leslie Howard Roberts facing?
A: Roberts is facing charges including money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Q: How did Roberts allegedly make the fake Warhol pieces appear authentic?
A: Roberts used forged authentication documents, fraudulent identification numbers, and fake stamps to create the appearance of authenticity.
Q: How much money did Roberts allegedly receive from victims?
A: According to the indictment, Roberts received over 100 wire payments involving hundreds of thousands of dollars between April 2023 and May 2024.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: An arraignment is scheduled for April 21.
