Eight people charged in decades-long Ontario art fraud investigation
Eight people are facing charges in connection to an apparent decades-long art fraud investigation.
Allegations began in 2007 when it was thought people were creating and selling artwork under the name of Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau – in his distinctive Woodland School of Art style.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Thunder Bay Police Service made the arrests on Wednesday and announced the news at a press conference at OPP General Headquarters in Orillia on Friday.
Morrisseau, also known as Copper Thunderbird, was a prolific Indigenous artist from the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation.
The OPP Criminal Investigation Branch and Thunder Bay police have led the investigation since 2020.
Police have seized over 1,000 alleged fraudulent paintings, prints and other artworks since that time and say some of the work was sold to unsuspecting public members for tens of thousands of dollars.
OPP calls it the largest art fraud investigation in the world in terms of how long it’s been going on and the number of pieces involved.
"It was important for the OPP and the Thunder Bay Police Service to identify and hold accountable those who allegedly profited illegally by forging Norval Morrisseau's artwork," OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said.
"The results of this investigation are a testament to the commitment and competence of the investigators and the collaboration of policing partners."
The eight people who have been arrested are facing 40 total charges. Of those charged, one man is from Essa Township.
He's charged with uttering a forged document, defrauding the public over $5,000 and four counts of fraud over $5,000.
"Norval Morrisseau was a prominent artist of the Thunder Bay region, and to profit off of his name is not only unethical but also illegal," said Chief Dan Taddeo, Thunder Bay Police Service.
"Together with the Ontario Provincial Police, I congratulate all involved for successfully resolving such an important investigation."
Five of the eight arrested are from Thunder Bay, while the others are from Niagara-on-the-Lake and Locust Hill.
They all face similar charges.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.