Simcoe County man charged in massive art fraud investigation appears in court
Three people, including a local man, accused of forging and selling fraudulent artwork attributed to a famed Indigenous artist, appeared for the first time in court.
James White of Essa Township and two other Ontario men made virtual appearances Thursday on charges of forgery and fraud-related offences after police seized over 1,000 allegedly fake paintings, prints and other artworks attributed to the renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau.
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 and call it the largest art fraud investigation in the world based on how long it's been going on and the number of pieces involved.
Police believe the operation may have defrauded the unsuspecting public over $100 million globally.
RELATED
- Eight people charged in decades-long Ontario art fraud investigation
- Simcoe County man at centre of one of Canada’s largest art fraud investigations
Earlier this month, the three men were charged alongside five others, including Morrisseau's nephew.
The Ontario men are scheduled to make their next appearance in the Superior Court of Justice on April 6.
With files from CTV's Jonathan Guignard
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Humanity at risk: AI pioneer urges federal government to regulate faster
One of the so-called godfathers of artificial intelligence says governments need to move faster on regulations to protect against the dangers of the rapidly advancing technology, before it poses a larger threat to humanity.
Running through middle age can keep brain healthy and neurons wired: study
Exercising as you age can help maintain memory and fight cognitive decline, according to a new study.
Prediabetes: The younger you are, the higher the risk of dementia
People who develop prediabetes when they’re younger are likely to have a higher risk for dementia in later life, a new U.S. study has found.
'We have an influence': How some Canadians are inspiring others to focus on the environment
From actions in their local communities to mass demonstrations, here's how Canadians from all walks of life are inspiring others to take part in helping the environment.
Hamilton police ask residents to shelter after barricaded man involved in double homicide fires shots
Police in Hamilton, Ont. are dealing with a barricaded person who they say is involved in the deaths of two people.
GOP-controlled Texas House impeaches Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, triggering suspension
Texas' Republican-led House of Representatives impeached state Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday on articles including bribery and abuse of public trust, a sudden, historic rebuke of a GOP official who rose to be a star of the conservative legal movement despite years of scandal and alleged crimes.
Dellandrea scores twice in 3rd, Stars stay alive with 4-2 victory over Golden Knights
Ty Dellandrea scored twice in a 1:27 span midway through the third period and the Dallas Stars beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Saturday night to stay alive in the Western Conference Final.
Team Canada hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey engaged
Celebrated Team Canada hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey have announced their engagement.
Attorney for 11-year-old Mississippi boy shot by police says there's 'no way' he could have been mistaken for an adult
An attorney for an 11-year-old Mississippi boy who was shot by a police officer after he called 911 for help said Thursday there was 'no way' the boy could have been mistaken for an adult.
Atlantic
-
Wildfire near Goose Lake, N.S. burning out of control
A sizeable wildfire is burning out of control in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia.
-
N.B. premier calls for calm amid review of policy on sexual orientation in schools
New Brunswick's premier is calling for calm as the province launches a contentious review of a policy on sexual orientation in schools.
-
Man shot and killed by police in Dartmouth, HRP refer shooting to SiRT
A man is dead after being shot by police in Dartmouth during an incident Saturday morning.
Montreal
-
'Pay attention': Family of struck Montreal 10 year old pleads with motorists to drive safely
The family of a 10-year-old girl who was hit by a car almost two weeks ago is appealing drivers and pedestrians to be more careful on Montreal’s roads. Kyaa Guinto is still in a coma at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. “She’s slowly come out of the induced coma, she’s moving her hands, she was able to squeeze our hands, and we’re waiting patiently,” said her mother, Stephanie Ledesma.
-
Quebec trucker subdues runaway injured horse on Highway 40
Quebecers are used to congestion headaches on Highway 40, but Saturday’s hold-up was nothing if not out of the ordinary: a horse broke free from its transport container and ran free in the fast lane. Marco Lelievre, a trucker, stopped his vehicle while driving through Repentigny, Que. after he saw the runaway horse.
-
Second Montreal business targeted by arson attack this weekend
A Montreal business was targeted by an arson attack for the second day in a row, this time in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough. Police say a 911 call was made just before 5 a.m. Sunday. By the time SPVM officers arrived, firefighters had put out the flames at the bakery on Charles de la Tour Street, near Antonio-Barbeau Street.
Ottawa
-
A hot and sunny Sunday in Ottawa
It's going to be hot and sunny in Ottawa as the annual marathon and half-marathon take over downtown streets.
-
Ottawa to begin spraying and mowing wild parsnip in suburban and rural areas
The city of Ottawa will begin spraying and mowing roadsides, pathways and parks this week to deal with wild parsnip, the invasive plant that can cause skin and eye irritation and make the skin prone to burning and blistering.
-
Mayoral run: Ottawa mayor exceeds marathon fundraiser goal for housing project
Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe has raised more than $25,000 toward repairs to a local supportive facility that was severely damaged by a February flood.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | SIU investigating after two people killed in Stoney Creek
Ontario’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has been called following an interaction with a man believed to be responsible for a double homicide in Stoney Creek.
-
Victim rushed to hospital following early morning stabbing in downtown Toronto
One person was rushed to hospital following an early morning stabbing in downtown Toronto.
-
Animal advocates call for alternatives to coyotes, foxes in Ontario dog training areas
Advocates are hoping the Ontario government will consider alternatives to the use of wild animals in off-leash dog areas for the purpose of tracking as officials push forward with a proposal to expand training areas in the province.
Kitchener
-
Three-vehicle crash in Wellington County leaves one dead
One person has died following a three vehicle crash on Highway 6 in Wellington County.
-
Man arrested for attempted murder, another seriously hurt in Kitchener shooting
The Waterloo Regional Police Service has arrested a man for attempted murder after a shooting in Kitchener left another man with serious injuries.
-
‘These issues are still here’: Advocates speak out following unhoused experience event in Victoria Park
A 24-hour camp out in Victoria Park, meant to highlight the homelessness crisis, has come to an end.
London
-
Free parking to now cost $200 per month as Webster St. apartment ‘renoviction’ saga continues
There is a new chapter in the “renoviction” saga at Webster Street apartments in London, Ont.
-
Vehicle crashes into house, severs gas line
A large emergency response was seen in the north end of London, Ont. Friday night after a driver allegedly ran their truck into a house.
-
Taking steps to help combat cognitive loss
Walks were held across the London region Saturday, raising funds to support programs and services offered by the Alzheimer Societies.
Northern Ontario
-
Team Canada hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey engaged
Celebrated Team Canada hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey have announced their engagement.
-
Two ‘aggressive’ hitchhikers on Hwy. 17 charged
Ontario Provincial Police have charged two people following reports of hitchhikers displaying aggressive behaviour along the Highway 17 East corridor in Kenora.
-
Ontario community battles to keep emergency department from closing for good
A community in Ontario’s cottage country is facing the permanent closure of its local hospital's Emergency Room.
Windsor
-
One person in hospital following collision involving motorcycle
A motorcycle rider is in hospital with serious injuries following a sing-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon.
-
Fire crews battle blaze in the city's east end
Wyandotte Street East between Lawrence Road and Raymo Road has reopened following a fire in the area.
-
Fatal collision devastates a community, youth hockey player charged with assault, teen charged in gun incident: Top Windsor stories this week
A devastating collision end the lives of three young adults, a Windsor dad said he’s frustrated his 12-year-old son has been charged with assault, and a teenager was arrested for allegedly bringing a gun to school.
Calgary
-
Alberta NDP holds rally in Calgary, UCP talks about crime, mental health supports
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley held a major rally in downtown Calgary Saturday morning, while her United Conservative rival had no public events planned this weekend after a final pitch to voters a day earlier.
-
Police seeking information regarding Friday night hit-and-run in northeast Calgary
Calgary police are investigating a hit-and-run in the northeast community of Renfrew.
-
Wildfire danger remains high in northern Alberta, but firefighters making progress
The number of wildfires burning in Alberta's protected forest areas has continued to drop.
Saskatoon
-
'I don't think it's right': Sask. woman sentenced for aggravated assault on senior
A Prince Albert man said he can start moving on, now that the woman who attacked his 89-year-old father has been sentenced. He said because of the assault, he lost both his mother and father.
-
Saskatoon woman faces two charges of assault after double stabbing
Saskatoon police have charged a 28-year-old after two people were stabbed.
-
Why Saskatchewan has a publicly-funded Catholic school system
The Catholic school system in Saskatchewan has a long history and is ultimately protected by the province’s constitution. Something the courts have backed up.
Edmonton
-
Wildfire danger remains high in northern Alberta, but firefighters making progress
The number of wildfires burning in Alberta's protected forest areas has continued to drop.
-
'It was just adorable': Grade 1 students surprise departing firefighters with special goodbye gifts
An Edmonton Grade 1 class was at the Edmonton International Airport Saturday to give a crew of wildland firefighters handmade thank-you cards and wish them well on their way back to New Brunswick.
-
'More connected': Researchers looking at growing food under solar panels
Lawns, backyards and roofs could be used to produce both solar power and fresh vegetables, University of Alberta researchers say.
Vancouver
-
‘A crime of passion’: Bizarre B.C. bakery break-in caught on camera
The owner of a cake shop in Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood braced for the worst when she found her store had been broken into Friday morning. But what she found captured by a security camera was a break-in beyond her wildest imagination.
-
Brazen shooting prompts Mounties to host public outreach event
Ten days after shots rang out at a busy Coquitlam shopping complex in broad daylight, Coquitlam RCMP held a public outreach event to address public concerns.
-
Several multiple sclerosis drugs covered by Pharmacare in every province except B.C.
Deborah Stefanek's doctor recommended she take a new medication called Kisempta to treat her relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. She was shocked to learn every province in Canada covers Kisempta under their Pharmacare plans except B.C.