MIAMI — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Florida, Southern), published as received.
MIAMI – A Coconut Grove art dealer who sold forged Andy Warhol artwork to unsuspecting buyers using fraudulent invoices, fabricated authentication documents, and counterfeit stamps has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman imposed the sentence on Leslie Roberts, 62, of Miami, after Roberts pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“Leslie Roberts turned his Miami art gallery into a vehicle for fraud, selling forged Andy Warhol artwork and using fabricated documents to deceive unsuspecting buyers,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “He exploited the trust that collectors place in art dealers and the authenticity of the works they purchase. Today’s 46-month prison sentence sends a clear message: fraud is fraud, whether it happens on Wall Street or in an art gallery. Those who profit through deception will be held accountable.”
“Art fraud undermines confidence in the legitimate art market and victimizes buyers who rely on the authenticity of the works they purchase,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “This sentence demonstrates that those who use forged artwork, fraudulent documentation, and deceptive schemes to profit illegally will be held accountable. The FBI remains committed to investigating complex fraud schemes and working with our partners to protect the public and uphold the integrity of our financial and commercial systems.”
According to court records, Roberts operated Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, where he sold forged artwork that he falsely represented as original works by renowned artist Andy Warhol. To deceive buyers, Roberts claimed that he had acquired the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts (AWF) and provided fraudulent invoices purportedly issued by the foundation.
Roberts also used forged authentication bearing the name of the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc., and purported signatures of its authorized representatives to make the counterfeit artwork appear genuine. Roberts also used fraudulent AWF identification numbers inscribed on the backs of the artwork and counterfeit stamps to create the appearance of authenticity.
As part of the conspiracy, Roberts enlisted Carlos Rodriguez Melendez to pose as an employee of a New York-based auction company and falsely authenticate artwork to conceal that it was forged. Rodriguez Melendez has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his involvement in the scheme.
The FBI Art Crime Team and FBI West Palm Beach investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Rosenfeld and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Lazopolous Friedman prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-20142.
###
