New York Foundry Owner Pleads Guilty in Jasper Johns Sculpture Fraud Case
Brian Ramnarine, a 59-year-old foundry owner from New York, has confessed to trying to sell an unlicensed replica of a sculpture by Jasper Johns. He produced the fake artwork utilizing the original molds of the artist. Ramnarine attempted to market the counterfeit piece for $11 million (£6.6 million). Additionally, he acknowledged his involvement in other sculpture frauds, which included efforts to sell pieces claimed to be by American pop artist Robert Indiana. His sentencing is set for 30 May 2014. This case was covered by the BBC.
Key facts
- Brian Ramnarine pleaded guilty to sculpture fraud
- He attempted to sell an unauthorized copy of a Jasper Johns sculpture
- The fraudulent piece was created using Jasper Johns's original molds
- Ramnarine tried to sell the counterfeit sculpture for $11 million (£6.6 million)
- He admitted to additional frauds involving work attributed to Robert Indiana
- Ramnarine is 59 years old
- He is a New York foundry owner
- Sentencing is scheduled for 30 May 2014
Entities
Artists
- Jasper Johns
- Robert Indiana
Institutions
- BBC
Locations
- New York
- United States