The sentencing hearing for convicted art fraudster Jeff Cowan took an interesting turn this week when his defence counsel called a Norval Morrisseau expert to the stand who told court that he believes members of the late Indigenous painter’s family and his estate could have been complicit in selling fake and mimicked works.
Cowan’s lawyer, Nathan Gorham, called John Zemanovich, who gave evidence over two days on direct examination.
Near the conclusion of the second day of his evidence, Zemanovich was asked whether he believes those close to the late painter or estate representatives played a role in dodgy art being sold in his name.
Zemanovich gave a qualified reply.
“The best way to answer that is (to say) that there is plenty of circumstantial evidence and plenty of red flags, but not enough” direct evidence to prove criminal charges, said Zemanovich.
The sentencing hearing also…
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