A Palm Beach front artwork vendor whose Worth Avenue gallery was raided by federal agents in December is facing charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and revenue laundering in relationship with an alleged scheme to provide forged large-stop artwork.
Daniel Elie Bouaziz built his first appearance before a federal magistrate decide in West Palm Beach on Friday, in accordance to a release from the United States Attorney’s Place of work for the Southern District of Florida.
It was not right away known no matter if Bouaziz entered a plea or he experienced employed a attorney to depict him.
A criminal complaint affidavit alleges that Bouaziz engaged in a plan to market paintings and other artwork that he falsely promoted for sale as original or genuine pieces by distinguished artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Banksy, and Roy Lichtenstein.
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Bouaziz bought the fraudulent art from Danieli Good Artwork, at 226a Worthy of Ave., and Galerie Danieli, at 230 Worth Ave, the grievance claimed.
Victims unknowingly ordered the fraudulent art pieces, some of which ended up cheap reproductions, for tens – or hundreds – of 1000’s of bucks, according to the prison criticism.
Bouaziz purchased the small-price tag reproductions from on the internet auction web-sites, then drastically marked up the rates and offered the is effective to victims as originals, the grievance reported.
The techniques Bouaziz allegedly used to deceive his victims included falsifying a work’s ownership background, and including a signature to a piece to make it seem genuine and enhance its perceived worth.
In addition, Bouaziz laundered revenue he obtained from the fraudulent artwork scheme, in accordance to the affidavit.
Some of the faux parts that ended up marketed or supplied for sale as authentic as component of the scheme consist of a Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum print, a work by George Rodrigue, and a Basquiat painting for sale at Danieli Fine Art that was priced at $12 million.
Miami-based FBI and IRS Felony Investigation divisions investigated the matter, in accordance to the affidavit.
Both of those galleries ended up open on Friday. A call to Bouaziz was not promptly returned.
At least a dozen brokers from both equally businesses raided Danieli Good Artwork and Galerie Danieli on Dec. 15.
In accordance to witnesses, these brokers swarmed the good art gallery, carrying cardboard packing containers for proof collecting.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Seaside Daily News, part of the USA Currently Florida Community. You can attain her at [email protected] Help help our journalism. Subscribe currently.
This write-up initially appeared on Palm Seashore Each day News: Palm Seaside artwork vendor billed with carrying out artwork fraud scheme