The art world is reeling in shock as Leslie Roberts, the owner and founder of Miami Fine Art Gallery in Florida, has been indicted for allegedly selling forged Andy Warhols. The FBI’s Art Crime Team recently removed art and evidence from the gallery, following a lengthy investigation that has left many questioning the authenticity of the artworks sold by Roberts. • Allegations against Leslie Roberts
• Accusations of selling forged artworks, including Warhols, and money laundering
• History of lawsuits and accusations of fraud
• Previous cases of art forgery and deception
A Timeline of Key Events
| August 2024 | Family of Florida art collectors accuses Roberts of selling counterfeit Warhols |
| September 2024 | FBI agents raid the gallery, removing art and evidence |
| 21 April 2024 | Roberts and associate, Carlos Miguel Rodriguez Melendez, are arrested and charged |
According to the indictment, Roberts allegedly used complex schemes to convince buyers that the artworks he was selling were legitimate Warhols. He used fake stamps and provided fraudulent invoices to his clients, and also allegedly forged authentication documents claiming they had been provided by the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board.
“Roberts betrayed the trust of his clients and went to great lengths to cover up his fraud. He is exactly the kind of art dealer who needs to be held accountable—for the sake of the Perlmans, his potential future victims and the art market itself.”
Luke Nikas, the Perlman family’s lawyer, highlighted the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences for Roberts and the art market. Roberts has a history of lawsuits filed against him and accusations of fraud. In 2010, he was found to have sold counterfeit works attributed to the Brazilian artist Romero Britto, both in his gallery and on eBay. In 2015, Roberts faced criminal charges for running a Peter Max forgery ring out of Max in the Grove, his gallery in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighbourhood. Forgeries and Deception
In the case of Leslie Roberts, the allegations of art forgery and deception are multifaceted. Roberts’s association with the Andy Warhol Foundation and his claimed acquisitions of rare Warhols may have been part of his alleged scheme to sell forged artworks.
- Roberts developed complex schemes to convince buyers that the artworks he was selling were legitimate Warhols.
- He used fake stamps and provided fraudulent invoices to his clients.
- Roberts allegedly forged authentication documents, claiming they had been provided by the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board.
Consequences and Implications
The indictment highlights the seriousness of Roberts’s alleged actions and the potential consequences for him, his clients, and the art market. If convicted, Roberts could face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, and an additional 10 years for money laundering.
Wire fraud is a type of fraud that involves using interstate communications to deceive someone for personal gain. In this case, Roberts allegedly used fake stamps and fraudulent invoices to deceive his clients.
Money laundering is the process of concealing the origin of money obtained through illicit means. In this case, Roberts allegedly transferred more than $200,000 in total from Miami Fine Art Gallery to his personal bank account. Case History
Roberts has a history of lawsuits filed against him and accusations of fraud. He has even spent time behind bars—for stealing millions of dollars from his great-uncle in the 1980s. The Miami New Times recently reported on the many deceptions the art dealer has been involved in.
- 2010: Roberts was found to have sold counterfeit works attributed to the Brazilian artist Romero Britto, both in his gallery and on eBay.
- 2015: Roberts faced criminal charges for running a Peter Max forgery ring out of Max in the Grove, his gallery in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighbourhood.
The Art World’s Response
The art world is reeling in shock as the allegations against Roberts come to light. Many are questioning the authenticity of the artworks sold by Roberts, and there are concerns about the impact on the art market. Expert Opinion
Luke Nikas, the Perlman family’s lawyer, emphasized the importance of holding Roberts accountable for his actions. “Roberts betrayed the trust of his clients and went to great lengths to cover up his fraud.