Brian Walshe sentenced to 3 years in prison on art fraud charges
BOSTON – A Massachusetts federal judge sentenced Brian Walshe to three years in prison on Tuesday for a "years-long, multi-faceted" art fraud scheme.Walshe is accused of killing his wife, missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, in a separate case.
Walshe was sentenced in Boston federal court on the art fraud charges, which are unrelated to his wife's death.
He was ordered to serve 37 months in prison with three years old supervised release. Walshe must also pay restitution of $475,000.
Walshe pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud, and unlawful monetary transaction.
He previously pleaded guilty to stealing real Andy Warhol paintings from a friend and trying to sell fake versions to an art dealer in 2016. Walshe later sold one painting on eBay, but the California art gallery owner who bought said he it knew it was fake when he received the art.
Ron Rivlin, the art dealer who fell victim to the scam, released a statement after Walshe's sentence was announced.
While today marks a moment of accountability for the art fraud committed, it pales in comparison to the profound tragedy of a far more grievous crime. The sentencing today brings a measure of justice for those of us affected by the fraud, yet our thoughts remain with the family enduring an irreplaceable loss. The true gravity of this situation lies with the sorrow of three children left orphaned, overshadowing any victory we might claim.
Separately, Walshe is being held without bail in the murder of his wife Ana. She was last seen alive on New Year's Day 2023. Her remains have never been found.
Matt Schooley is a digital producer at CBS Boston. He has been a member of the WBZ news team for the last decade.
