NEW YORK (AP).-
A New York City man who was victimized in an art fraud but then committed his own forgery has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Richard Silver paid $84,000 in restitution before his sentencing Tuesday in Manhattan.
The 44-year-old real estate broker, photographer and part-time art dealer pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor forgery and false-filing charges.
Silver unwittingly bought what turned out to be fake prints by British artist Damien Hirst. The Irvine, Calif.-based seller went to prison for the scam.
Silver admitted he then falsified appraisals as he resold the pieces. Defense lawyer Vinoo Varghese says Silver altered legitimate appraisals for some prints to match other works so he could ship them quickly.
Silver also admitted he didn't report the sale profits on state taxes.
NOTE: Odd story, this. I always thought it would be Damien Hirst who would be sent to jail for art fraud. (Apologies to my friend with the very small Damien Hirst spot painting, which I like and which once again proves that brevity is the soul of wit and exceptions often prove rules.)
