About two weeks ago, an art forgery case came full circle that the Chicago Art Blog reported on in 2008. Michael Zabrin, a Northbrook art wholesaler, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in federal court on January 5th, 2010, a charge stemming from his role in scamming some 250 people out of more than $1 million.
Zabrin used eBay accounts to sell counterfeited works by master artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali and others to the public. Zabrin admitted to conducting 280 transactions of counterfeit artwork through his eBay accounts, Fineartmasters and ZFineartmasters. If customers realized they bought a fake, they would return them and Zabrin admitted he would wait a couple of months and then sell the same work yet again.
Unfortunately this is not the first time that Mr. Zabrin has been in federal court for selling fake art. As the Chicago Tribune notes, "In 1992 [Zabrin pleaded guilty] to
selling more than $800,000 worth of fake limited-edition prints
purported as the works of legendary artists Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso
and Joan Miro. Zabrin was sentenced to just a year in prison in return
for helping federal authorities crack the international,
multimillion-dollar counterfeit case."
And once again, Mr. Zabrin is offering up his help to the authorities to help catch his international (alledged) accomplices. In the same Tribune article Zabrin's lawyer Jeffrey Steinback notes, ""Mr. Zabrin has cooperated extensively with authorities [. . .]"
The maxium sentence is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine but Zabrin will more likely sentenced from 10-13 years.
I stick by my original sentiments regarding this case, people should be able to get what they are paying for and are free to buy whatever they want, but if you are buying local you know what you are getting, that's its authentic and supporting the local art community. Such work may not have the brand appeal of being "a Dali," or whomever, but then there are numerous questions even about Dali's "official" work, best described in this ARTnews article.
So support local artists and the work they do or buy from trusted sources.
Filed under: art forgery
Tags: Art, art counterfeit, art fraud, Chicago, Chicago Art Blog, fake, forgery, fraud, Zabrin
