Accused Fraudster in $11M Scam Gets Jail Time for Bullying Art Dealer
- April 30, 2015 12:18
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup sentenced accused art thief Luke Brugnara to jail for 21 days after he bullied a witness on the stand, reports Courthouse News Service. Brugnara, who is representing himself, landed contempt "for abusing the art dealer he allegedly conned during cross-examination at his trial for mail and wire fraud."
Art dealer Rose Long delivered $11 million in art to Brugnara at his San Francisco home last spring. He never paid Long, and a $4 million Degas sculpture went missing. The FBI recovered the other artworks by Picasso, de Kooning, and Miro, but Long has been sued by another art dealer over the lost Degas.
During his cross examination of Long, Brugnara constantly interrupted the art dealer during her testimony and was both argumentative and peppered her with bullying questions.
"I think she's probably got post-traumatic stress disorder now," Alsup said. "I'm afraid it's done mental damage, the way she's been treated."
Brugnara accused Long of trying to sell him fake art. He said the Degas was probably stolen by the delivery man. He also questioned Long's mental health, screamed at the jury that Long is a "liar," and demanded a mistrial.
After his performance, Judge Alsup gave Brugnara jail time for witness abuse. The trial continued on Thursday with more antics. Alsup handed down another 31 days in jail for contempt, as Brugnara repeatedly interrupted the judge and prosecutors with his outbursts.
Read more at Courthouse News Service
