Ont. man awaits sentence amid art fraud case involving renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau

Convicted art fraudster Jim White, 84, left the Newmarket courthouse on Thursday awaiting his sentence.

In June, White pleaded guilty to producing forged documents and possessing and trafficking more than 500 pieces of fake art and mimicking the works of Norval Morisseau.

Some pieces sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

Morrisseau, often called the ‘Picasso of the north,’ is widely recognized as the grandfather of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada. Morrisseau died in 2007, and for years his estate has fought forgeries that flooded the art world market.

In court Thursday, the crown asked Justice Michelle Fuerst to sentence White to two years of house arrest. While the defense agreed with a two-year sentence, they argued for one-third of that sentence to be on house arrest with the remainder on curfew.

Citing White’s age and health as factors. White will turn 85-years-old in April and has multiple lingering health issues pertaining to his knees and lungs.

Four victim impact statements were read in the courtroom Thursday, each outlining a feeling of being taken advantage of. A representative of Morisseau’s estate also addressed the court, citing the financial impact.

Two victims have also come forward seeking restitution totaling $10,000.

• Ont. men plead guilty for roles in art fraud ring involving works of Norval Morrisseau

Justice Fuerst asked White if he had anything to say to the court; he declined, and White’s lawyers also declined to comment on the sentencing hearing Thursday.

Two other co-accused pleaded guilty last year and were sentenced to five years in prison.

White will be back in court in Newmarket on August 29 for the judge’s sentence. White’s co-accused, David Paul Bremner, is also scheduled to be sentenced later this month.