A renowned French art expert is on trial for allegedly forging 18th-century furniture, which was sold at high prices to clients, including a royal palace.
The case, described as one of the biggest forgery scandals in recent years, involves 61-year-old Bill Pallot and five others, including a well-known gallery. Pallot and woodcarver Bruno Desnoues are accused of producing and selling chairs falsely claimed to have belonged to figures such as Madame du Barry and Queen Marie-Antoinette.
Brintons, one of the alleged victims, purchased pieces based on Pallot's endorsement. The fraudulent sales reportedly caused damages amounting to 4.5 million euros. The French ministry of culture ordered an audit of acquisitions following the scandal's exposure in 2016.
Desnoues's wife referred to the antiques market as 'a detestable environment, where antique dealers want to make money at any cost.' A police search of Desnoues's home uncovered over 200,000 euros in cash.
Investigations into a Portuguese couple with assets far exceeding their declared income led authorities to the forgery operation. The man, a handyman for Parisian art galleries, was found to have links with Desnoues.
Pallot, once described as 'the world's leading expert on the works of 18th-century France,' has been compared to notorious fraudster Bernard Madoff. The trial is ongoing.
Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv