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NJ father-daughter team accused of peddling fake Picassos, Warhols and more to NYC art houses plead guilty

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Federal prosecutors obtained a guilty plea on Wednesday from a father-daughter duo accused of selling counterfeit art purported to be from famed contemporary artists.

Erwin Bankowski, 50, and Karolina Bankowska, 26, are facing maximum sentences of 20 years in prison, as well as restitution of up to $1.9 million. Prosecutors say the pair were selling “lies on canvas,” going so far as to generate false ownership histories for the counterfeit works they sold.

“These two individuals didn’t just sell counterfeit art – they undermined trust, exploited buyers, and attempted to profit from fraud. In this instance, the FBI with its partners has made it clear that those who manipulate the market for personal gain will be caught and held accountable,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle.

“From 2020 through 2025, the defendants, who are father and daughter, conspired to consign for auction over 200 counterfeit artworks.  The Counterfeit Works were allegedly painted by famed artists,” the DOJ wrote in a statement.

ANCIENT RARE CHINESE MANUSCRIPTS STOLEN IN ALLEGED SCHEME BY MAN USING MULTIPLE ALIASES

Counterfeit art

Those artists included Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Raimond Staprans, Richard Mayhew, and Native American artist Fritz Scholder.

“To make some of the Counterfeit Works appear to be legitimate, the defendants generated false histories of prior custody and ownership, also known as provenance. To do so, they conducted research to represent falsely that some of the Counterfeit Works had been in private collections of individuals associated with the artists, had been owned by since-closed art galleries, or had been in the private collections of corporations that were no longer in operation,” the DOJ wrote.

“The defendants chose galleries and corporations that were no longer operating to make it difficult for galleries and potential buyers to verify the purported provenance of the Counterfeit Works,” the statement added.

ELDERLY TEXAS WOMAN LEARNS FATE FOR DISTRIBUTING 150K DOSES OF FENTANYL THROUGH THE MAIL

The DOJ says the defendants consigned the fake pieces to art galleries and auction houses throughout the U.S., which then attempted to sell them to buyers for prices of up to $160,000.  Over the course of their scheme, the defendants defrauded victims out of at least $2 million.

The father and daughter — Polish citizens living in New Jersey — pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and misrepresenting Native American–produced goods, the latter charge stemming from their duplication of the Luiseño artist, Fritz Scholder.

In court on Tuesday, Bankowska told a judge that her “conduct was wrong and I am guilty.” Her attorney, Todd Spodek, said his client had placed more than $1 million in an escrow account.

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Through a Polish interpreter, Erwin Bankowski also apologized. His attorney, Jeffrey Chabrowe, added that his client had “regrettably made a terrible decision in an effort to support his family.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

  

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Rising singer dismembered teen who threatened to expose him in kiddie pool with chainsaw: DA

Police found Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered remains in an abandoned Tesla on Sept. 8, 2025. They were 400 feet away from the singer D4VD’s house. The car was registered to Burke and surveillance footage allegedly shows that he was the last driver. Burke is accused of setting up an inflatable pool in his garage so he could catch Celeste’s bleeding as SINGER D4VD PLEADS HE IS NOT GUILTY OF MURDERING YOUNG GIRL FOUND DECOMPOSING AND DISMEMBERED IN H These were never recovered. However, he placed other of her dismembered limbs in a cadaver and trash bag in the trunk of his Tesla. He then abandoned the car months later Her parents called the police in February and took away her phone. Burke allegedly paid $1,000 to a high-school student to deliver her a brand new phone. Child Predator Arrested After Surprise Warrant Drops Hours Before Prison Release. They “broke up” on November 20, 2024 but kept in contact until Celeste’s telephone activity “[Text] message reveal the victim’s envy over defendant’s relationship with other women,” prosecutors wrote. “She became very upset and threatened to reveal damaging information about their relationship to destroy defendant’s career and ruin his life. “FOLLOW FOX TRUE CRIMES TEAM ON XThe fight was two days before the release of his first studio album. With millions on the line Burke allegedly ordered Celeste to take However, 20 minutes after the vehicle arrived, Burke allegedly sent her text messages asking where she was.SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERProsecutors allege these texts were part of a “premeditated plan to cover up the murder.” According to the filing, she was already dead when the texts were sent. Prosecutors claim that Burke stabbed Celeste to death almost immediately upon her arrival. According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office, Celeste died from multiple penetrating wounds. The next morning, he gave a radio interview on his upcoming album. He then allegedly ordered a shovel from Home Depot using the courier app Postmates. Prosecutors allege that he ordered two chainssaws on May 1. On May 5, he purchased a body bag and laundry bags, as well as the inflatable pool. On July 7, he is said to have bought a “burn-cage”. “He allegedly purchased the item using a false name, “Victoria Mendez. “LISTEN TO ‘CRIME & Justice with Donna Rotunno’ PODCASTAt a Wednesday hearing, prosecutors revealed gruesome accusations in connection with the crime. Legal Find out more on the TRUE CRIME HUB. “The gruesome details about Burke’s crimes, revealed by the DA are guaranteed to boost not only the chance of a “Shocking allegations include the purchase and use of a chainsaw, portable incinerator, body bags, as well as dismembering and removing fingers with tattoos that link her to Burke The Los Angeles Police Department executed a search warrant at Burke’s residence in September 2025. They recovered the damaged swimming pool, blood evidence, and other DNA samples that were linked to Celeste.CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPTo add to Burke’s legal woes Oakes said, “[That] puts a heavy burden on the defense in order to fight back.”

  

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Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Lox and loaded against hate

NEWYou can now listen Fox News articles.Fox News “Antisemitism Exposed”, a newsletter that focuses on the rise of anti-Jewish prejudice in the U.S.- Jewish communities prepare for defense by arming themselves

-Duke University caves in after short suspension of SJP Chapter

Top-tier prep school in New York embroiled in antisemitism controversyTOP STORY : Growing antisemitism has turned skeptics to shooters. The Jewish gun group, “Lox & Loaded”, has partnered up with the NRA in order to provide elite training for a community that is under threat. The group has fifty chapters across the country, empowering first-time gun owners to move from vulnerability to proficiency. In an age of rising hate, Jewish Americans have taken security into their own hand.VIDEO : London’s Jewish community has been put on notice following a terrifying stabbing attack that left two people injured. WATCH HERE:DUKE RESTREATS: Duke University’s Students for Justice in Palestine has been reinstated after a social media post that was antisemitic triggered a suspension. Administrators admitted that the images used “antisemitic stereotypes,” but they decided it did not create an “hostile atmosphere” required by law for a ban. The backtrack highlights the explosive conflict between campus freedom of speech and growing concerns about Jewish student safety. HATE FLUSHED – Horace Mann, an elite prep school in the New York City area, is reeling from a pro Israel flyer found in a toilet. Parents and alumni are angry at the administration’s “tepid” reaction to what they see as a blatant hate crime. They demand accountability. The incident has sparked a fierce debate over campus climate and safety for Jewish students. The North Carolina woman planned to ram her vehicle into the congregation in order to “kill as many people as possible.” Hicks is facing a $10 million bond but two co-conspirators are still at large. This has left the community on edge. Christian Zionist Mike Evans, best-selling author Mike Evans, argues that Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other “modern-day guardians” have fundamentally reshaped Middle East and global fight against antisemitism with their strength and resolve..QUOTE: “For me, this is another example of a dual standard where hate incidents are taken seriously by other ethnic groups, but not for Jewish people, Zachary Patterson (Duke University Senior) on the school’s decision not to reinstate their SJP chapter after an Instagram post that showed a uniformed pork holding a staff with an Israeli flag and a Star of David. Fox News has more coverage on antisemitism. Subscribe to more newsletters here. Get the Fox News App here

  

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Prosecutor drops case against woman accused of threatening Trump on TikTok

NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. The case against a West Virginia librarian charged earlier this year for allegedly posting on social media an The case has been dismissed. The post stated that “Morrow is charged with one count of TERRORISTIC THREATS.” KATIE PORTER SENDS ‘F*** TRUMP!’ EMAIL DAY AFTER ATTEMPT The complaint stated that after Morrow had been read her Miranda rights she allegedly told authorities in an interview that the statement she posted on social media

  

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Minnesota ‘tried to cover up fraud allegations,’ former state trooper alleges

NEWYou can now listen Fox News articles. HHS QUESTIONS MINNESOTA’S USE BILLIONS OF FEDERAL SOCIAL SERVICE FUNDS IN CONCERNS ABOUT FRAUD: REPORTWhen I sent my answer about what fraud trends I’m seeing at CCAP as I’d been directed, a senior DHS official was in my office, angry and red-faced. Swanson testified that the senior DHS official (Department of Human Services) told him to delete several paragraphs of my document. “I told the official that what they were telling was illegal. I told them that Minnesota law requires all state employees to cooperate and provide information to the OLA as requested. Few days later, I was told by the same official that he had just returned from the commissioner’s offices and they were sending my document to the OLA. Swanson testified that a consultant was paid $90,000 to label his assessments of fraud as made up. He testified that a consultant was paid $90,000 to label his assessments of fraud as made up.Swanson’s testimony Tuesday was heard the same day the FBI raided more than 20 Minneapolis childcare facilities as part of a sweeping federal fraud investigation.Included in the raid was the Quality Learning Center, a daycare made infamous by video blogger Nick Shirley’s December video showing the sign out front misspelled as “Quality Learing Center” and the facility empty.According to Swanson’s testimony, that business shared an address with Salama Childcare Center, the owner of which was indicted for theft and fraud in 2017. Swanson testified he was the investigator who led the investigation that led to the indictment. Swanson and his team had “a front-row seat” as they watched the fraud unfold. They also had regular contact with the perpetrators. “”Beginning 2017, we were shocked and dismayed by the response of senior DHS [Department of Human Services] officers to whom we reported fraud. In hindsight I can see that our team was witnessing the beginnings of a loosely organized criminal organization that was pillaging Minnesota’s public benefit system. He told the committee. Swanson claimed that “a few senior level DHS [Department of Human Services] employees who harassed our unit and abused it for trying to expose the sin of exposing a large amount of fraud in CCAP are still working at DHS today.” Swanson refused to give the names when asked by Kristin Robbins (chair of the committee) because he said there was an ongoing investigation. Federal officials will halt more than $10 billion in funding to 5 states over concerns about non-citizen benefit concerns: ReportSwanson also revealed that Minnesota is allegedly a hotspot for scammers. Swanson said that he heard from many owners and employees that they first heard of the daycare scam while in a refugee camp in Kenya. Swanson said that Minnesota was the easiest place to run a scam and where you could make the most profit. Swanson testified, “I was shown text conversation between owner of center and friend.” “The friend asked the owner, ‘how long are you going do the daycare fraud?’ The owner replied that he would like to buy some nice houses in Nairobi within the next year or two. The owner was receiving public assistance at the time. This text conversation happened while they were on vacation in Dubai. Swanson testified that “Childcare Fraud has been a prevalent issue in Minnesota since 2009”. In recent months, federal officials have focused on the issue. In a March order, Donald Trump called fraud cases “epidemics” and promised to take action. Trump’s executive orders also claimed that Minnesota Democratic leadership had provided “nonexistent oversight” of the issue. This claim was denied by the state’s Democratic Governor. Tim Walz denied. Despite initially suing Trump’s administration for freezing federal funds for Minnesota, Walz celebrated publicly Tuesday’s FBI raids. “Today’s FBI raids happened because our state agencies reported irregular behavior.” It’s the way the system should work, and we will continue to do so as long as fraudsters are around to be arrested,” Walz wrote in a post on X. Members of the Trump administration questioned Walz’s claims of collaboration. “Come again? The FBI, DOJ and our DHS [U.S. Department of Homeland Security] partner drafted and executed each search warrant today. Take credit for our work, while we weed out the fraud that is plaguing Minnesota during your governorship,” FBI director Kash Patel wrote on X on Tuesday. Minnesotan leaders also questioned Walz’s claims of being tough on fraud. “After the OLA report was released, the new Walz Administration took a closer look at it. They closed the criminal investigation division rather than speed up the criminal investigations. This allowed the frauds to continue,” Robbins said.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APP. People were sanctioned because they overpaid. Then they kept billing the state. Robbins concluded that the Walz administration allowed fraud to flourish by stopping criminal investigations.

  

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Bodycam shows dad bolt from cops with young child in his arms before ditching her alone in the woods

NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. Body camera footage shows a Florida father fleeing police with his child, before abandoning the child alone in the woods to avoid being arrested. News 6 reports that the incident occurred Saturday when officers from the Daytona Beach Police Department stopped Cory Acree after determining his car matched a description of a vehicle used in a shooting. Acree was then ordered to step out of the car. Acree then allegedly sped off in his vehicle with his young child still in it. Police in Florida arrested a burglary victim after they found drugs during the 911 response: ‘Should have hidden his cocaine’ Acree then parks his car and flees on foot, with his daughter. The officer can be heard saying, “Gotta Black male bailing, small child, Small child,” as Acree ran off into the woods. “Little child bailing out with her. The chase quickly turns chaotic when officers chase Acree into the wooded area, and order him to lie down. Follow us on XOfficers located the young girl in the woods nearby. She told officers that she was experiencing pains in her legs and arms as she was being taken away from the scene. The deputy laughed when the child said “my dad was going faster.” Several officers comforted the child by giving her a rubber duck and a police badge sticker. Acree then appears handcuffed, seated on the floor, as he is taken to custody. News 6 reported that authorities also determined Acree was involved in the shooting that prompted the original traffic stop, but have not released additional information regarding the investigation.

  

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