Florida gallery owner charged with peddling fake art pieces

Published May 28, 2022 12:26 pm

By CURT ANDERSON
Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Florida gallery owner has been arrested on federal charges for peddling fake art pieces, claiming the cheap reproductions were in fact originals by Andy Warhol, Banksy, Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat and others. A complaint filed in South Florida federal court Thursday accuses Palm Beach art dealer Daniel Elie Bouaziz of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Bouaziz is a French citizen of Algerian descent. He was ordered released on $500,000 bail after an initial hearing Friday. He has not yet entered a plea to the charges, according to court records. Prosecutors said Bouaziz bought some of the reproductions online and then sold some for huge sums.

Article Topic Follows: AP National Business

Jump to comments ↓

The Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.