Full Breakdown
New Jersey Father-Daughter Duo Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Art Forgery Scheme
5/1/2026, 5:14:25 PM
Operation Overview
Beginning in 2020, Erwin Bankowski and his daughter Karolina Bankowska commissioned a Polish artist to produce 200 counterfeit paintings that imitated works by Andy Warhol, Banksy, Andrew Wyeth, Pablo Picasso, Raimond Staprans, Richard Mayhew and Fritz Scholder. The forgeries, presented on paper with forged gallery stamps, were consigned to New York dealers and auction houses, yielding $2 million in fraudulent proceeds and $1.9 million in restitution.
Key Figures
Erwin Bankowski (50) and Karolina Bankowska (26) orchestrated the fraud. New York dealer Robert Rogal accepted several consigned pieces before spotting the fakes. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. led the case, with FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle overseeing the investigation. Art-crime scholar Erin Thompson of City University of New York provided expert analysis.
Data & Statistics
The indictment cites at least 200 forged works and revenue of $2 million. The lucrative sale fetched $160,000 for a fake Richard Mayhew painting. Other sales include a counterfeit Banksy for $2,000, a forged Raimond Staprans “Triple Boats” for $60,000, and a fake Warhol for $5,500.
Official Statements
Joseph Nocella Jr. called defendants “purveyors of art while selling lies on canvas.” FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle said it demonstrates a commitment to “hold accountable those who manipulate markets.” Counsel Todd Spodek said Karolina Bankowska placed over $1 million in escrow; attorney Jeffrey Chabrowe called Erwin Bankowski’s actions a “terrible decision to support his family.”
Criticism & Industry Perspective
Art-crime scholar Erin Thompson warned that the case illustrates a broader problem, noting, “The only unusual thing about this case is that the forgers got caught.” She emphasized that the prevalence of counterfeit works suggests many more remain undetected, challenging reliance on provenance alone.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact count of forged pieces (“at least 200” versus “more than 200”) and on the total amount defrauded (“over $2 million” versus “at least $2 million”). Several auction houses—Bonhams, Phillips, Freeman’s and Antique Arena—either declined comment or did not respond, leaving transaction verification incomplete.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My conduct was wrong and I am guilty.” — Karolina Bankowska, Defendant
- “You try to do a service and provide it correctly,” — Robert Rogal, Art Dealer
- “The only unusual thing about this case is that the forgers got caught,” — Erin Thompson, Professor of Art Crime, City University of New York
- “For years, these defendants painted themselves as purveyors of fine art while selling lies on canvas to unsuspecting collectors,” — Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney
Implications & Next Steps
The guilty pleas highlight weaknesses in provenance verification and underscore the need for stricter consignment controls. Both defendants face federal sentences of more than three years, restitution of $1.9 million, and possible deportation to Poland. Ongoing monitoring by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office aims to deter similar fraud and restore confidence in the high-value art market.
