Paris prosecutors seek trial for Giuliano Ruffini over alleged Old Master forgery ring
Prosecutors in Paris have called for Giuliano Ruffini, who is believed to head a trafficking operation involving Old Master forgeries, to be tried for commercial fraud and money laundering. They are also looking to reactivate an arrest warrant for Lino Frongia, the Italian artist accused of creating multiple forgeries, who is said to be evading capture in Italy. Clémence Radafshar and Marianne Frochot, the prosecutors, suggest prioritizing these charges and dropping allegations of gang fraud. Ruffini’s son, Mathieu, along with intermediaries Jean-Charles Méthiaz and Michaël Tordjmann, might also face prosecution. An indictment is anticipated shortly, with a trial possibly occurring as soon as 2027. This scandal traces back to 2016, linked to a painting seized that was claimed to be by Cranach, involving prominent institutions and experts. Ruffini faced charges in December 2022 and was released on bail of €1 million.
Key facts
- Paris prosecutors request trial for Giuliano Ruffini on commercial deception and money laundering charges.
- Arrest warrant renewal sought for Italian painter Lino Frongia, alleged creator of forged works.
- Prosecutors recommend dropping gang fraud charges, focusing on money laundering and deception.
- Ruffini's son Mathieu and intermediaries Jean-Charles Méthiaz and Michaël Tordjmann also face trial.
- Trial could be scheduled as early as 2027 pending judge's confirmation.
- Scandal began in 2016 with seizure of a Cranach-attributed Venus from the Prince of Liechtenstein's collection.
- Major museums and auction houses implicated, including Louvre, National Gallery, Met, Sotheby's, Christie's, Dorotheum.
- 13 works identified as fakes by forensic experts; 18 other works dropped from charges.
- Ruffini maintains innocence; lawyer calls proceedings 'inflated'.
Entities
Artists
- Giuliano Ruffini
- Lino Frongia
- Mathieu Ruffini
- Jean-Charles Méthiaz
- Michaël Tordjmann
- Lucas Cranach the Elder
- Orazio Gentileschi
- Parmigianino
- Frans Hals
- Diego Velázquez
- El Greco
- Correggio
- Solario
- Bruegel family
- Violaine de Villemereuil
- Anna Tummers
- Gunnar Heydenreich
- James Martin
- André Borie
- Mark Weiss
- Paul Le Fèvre
Institutions
- Parquet de Paris
- The Art Newspaper
- Musée du Louvre
- National Gallery, London
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Sotheby's
- Christie's
- Dorotheum
- French Museums' laboratory
- Orion Analytical
- Cranach Digital Archive
- Court of Bologna
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Liechtenstein
- Parma
- Switzerland