Feds: Man Sold Stolen Andy Warhol Artwork
Posted on Monday, 23 of November , 2009 at 7:50 pm
NEW YORK—An Ossining man has been charged with mail and wire fraud in Manhattan federal court as a result of his possession of numerous pieces of notable artwork believed to have been stolen from his former employer.
The federal charges relate to the sale of one of those pieces of artwork, a Heinz 57 box created by the artist Andy Warhol, to an unwitting collector in New York City.
James S. Biear, 49, surrendered Monday. According to the complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court, in July 2008, Biear allegedly sold an Andy Warhol silkscreen on a wooden crate mimicking a Heinz 57 case of ketchup to an art collector in New York City for approximately $220,000.
In connection with the sale, prosecutors said Biear claimed that the Warhol Heinz 57 box had been gifted to him from his uncle who had legal title to the Warhol Heinz 57 box. In truth and in fact, Andy Warhol had gifted the Warhol Heinz 57 box to an art collector in 1964. In or around April 2007, the Warhol Heinz 57 box was noticed to be missing from the art collector’s New York residence after a birthday party. Biear had been employed by the art collector at the time that the Warhol Heinz 57 box was believed to have been stolen.
Biear is charged with one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss caused by his crimes.
He also faces charges brought by the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.
According to the felony complaint filed in Westchester County court, Biear is charged with second degree criminal possession of stolen property in connection with his possession of artwork also believed to have been stolen from his prior employer, specifically, an ink drawing by Francis Picabia titled, “Jean Cocteau par Francis Picabia.” If convicted, Biear faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. 11-23-09
NOTICE: http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/11/22/moving_on/
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