Sentencing delayed for senior in massive art fraud case

Sentencing of a senior in a massive art fraud case is delayed.

A 78-year-old man tied to an art fraud ring involving the works of renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau will have to wait longer to learn his fate.

David Paul Bremner appeared in a Barrie courtroom on Wednesday for sentencing, but Justice Michelle Fuerst adjourned the matter until Sept. 9.

Crown and defence lawyers submitted a joint recommendation for a two-year conditional sentence, which would see Bremner serve time in the community rather than behind bars. The recommendation includes eight months of house arrest, eight months under curfew, and eight months under statutory conditions.

In July, Bremner pleaded guilty to charges connected to the widespread forgery scheme. Court heart he knowingly turned a blind eye to suspicions about the authenticity of several paintings attributed to Morrisseau. Despite lacking formal training, Bremner provided certificates of authenticity that were later used to sell the fraudulent artworks. Court heard some of the pieces fetched tens of thousands of dollars, with one selling for close to $100,000.

Bremner admitted he knew his certificates were being used to authenticate and legitimize the artworks and that his certificates were relied upon by co-accused Jim White of Essa Township, along with others, to sell the pieces. White, 84, is scheduled to appear in court in Newmarket on Aug. 29 for sentencing.

On Wednesday, the court heard victim impact statements, with several describing feelings of embarrassment and increased anxiety.

Morrisseau, who died in 2007, is considered a trailblazer of contemporary Indigenous art and is often referred to as the ‘Picasso of the North.’ His estate has spent years fighting forgeries that have flooded the art world market.

A joint investigation by Thunder Bay police and Ontario Provincial Police resulted in the seizure of about 900 suspected fraudulent works.

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