The mastermind behind a series of forgeries of renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau’s work has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Gary Lamont, the principal architect of the Morrisseau mass forgeries, was handed his sentence on Friday by Justice Paul Jeffrey of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Lamont, who was found guilty of fraud and forgery charges in November 2020, was also ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution to the victims of his scheme.
The court heard that Lamont, along with his accomplice, Joseph McLeod, created and sold hundreds of fake Morrisseau paintings over a period of 14 years, earning millions of dollars in profits.
The forgeries were so convincing that they even fooled experts and collectors, leading to a widespread devaluation of genuine Morrisseau pieces.
In his sentencing, Justice Jeffrey noted the devastating impact of Lamont’s actions on the Indigenous community, as Morrisseau’s work holds significant cultural and spiritual value.
The judge also highlighted the financial harm caused to the victims, many of whom were elderly and invested their life savings into purchasing the fake paintings.
Lamont’s sentence is seen as a significant victory for the Morrisseau family, who have been fighting to protect the legacy of the late artist and his authentic works.
In a statement, the family expressed their gratitude to the justice system for holding Lamont accountable and bringing justice to the victims.
The Morrisseau family also urged the public to be cautious when purchasing Indigenous art and to seek authentication from reputable sources.
The sentencing of Lamont serves as a warning to those who seek to profit from the exploitation of Indigenous culture and heritage.
As the Indigenous art market continues to grow, it is crucial to ensure the protection of artists and their work from fraudulent activities.
