TL;DR: Miami art dealer Leslie Roberts was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for selling forged Andy Warhol artworks out of his Coconut Grove gallery using fabricated invoices, counterfeit stamps, and fake authentication documents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida said Roberts pocketed about $2.58 million from unsuspecting buyers and falsely claimed the works came directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation.
A federal judge in Miami has handed down a nearly four-year prison sentence to the Coconut Grove art dealer who turned his gallery into a storefront for forged Andy Warhols. Leslie Roberts, the former owner of Miami Fine Art Gallery on Commodore Plaza, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, sits at the low end of the federal advisory range of 46 to 57 months. Roberts was also ordered to forfeit roughly $2.58 million in proceeds from the scheme.
A Gallery Built on Fakes
According to prosecutors, Roberts sold counterfeit artworks attributed to Andy Warhol to wealthy collectors, backing each sale with fraudulent paperwork. He fabricated invoices, counterfeit stamps, and fake authentication documents to make the forgeries look legitimate, and falsely told buyers he had obtained the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The scheme unraveled in April 2025, when FBI agents raided his gallery on Commodore Plaza and arrested Roberts. A grand jury indictment returned the next day charged him with selling forgeries of the pop artist’s work and coordinating an elaborate coverup.
Investigators also uncovered the role of Carlos Rodriguez Melendez, who investigators said posed as an employee of a New York-based auction company and falsely authenticated artwork to conceal that it was forged. Rodriguez Melendez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to probation.
The Sentencing — and a Missed First Date
Roberts’ sentencing did not go smoothly. He failed to appear for his original sentencing hearing, prompting his attorney to tell the court he might have suffered a medical emergency — or attempted to take his own life — under the weight of the prospect of being taken into custody. His lawyer said Roberts had last contacted him from an Uber on the way to the Miami federal courthouse and never arrived.
Roberts appeared in court a week later and was sentenced on October 2. Judge Altman ordered him remanded to federal custody, directed that his passport be surrendered to his attorney, and recommended the Bureau of Prisons place Roberts in a Florida facility capable of addressing his medical needs.
Roberts had sought a sentence below the guidelines range, arguing his cooperation with investigators had helped uncover what his attorney described as potentially the largest art-related fraud network in the country. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to cooperate with federal investigators on his case and other art fraud matters.
“Fraud Is Fraud”
“Leslie Roberts turned his Miami art gallery into a vehicle for fraud, selling forged Andy Warhol artwork and using fabricated documents to deceive unsuspecting buyers,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones. “He exploited the trust that collectors place in art dealers and the authenticity of the works they purchase. Today’s 46-month prison sentence sends a clear message: fraud is fraud, whether it happens on Wall Street or in an art gallery. Those who profit through deception will be held accountable.”
“Art fraud undermines confidence in the legitimate art market and victimizes buyers who rely on the authenticity of the works they purchase,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
The case follows an earlier South Florida prosecution over fake Warhols: in 2023, dealer Daniel Elie Bouaziz was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to money laundering tied to counterfeit works, while prosecutors dropped 16 related fraud and embezzlement counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Leslie Roberts?
Leslie Howard Roberts, in his early 60s, was the owner of Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, Florida. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for selling forged Andy Warhol artworks.
What sentence did he receive?
U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman sentenced Roberts to 46 months (three years and ten months) in federal prison and ordered him to forfeit approximately $2.58 million in proceeds.
How did the scheme work?
Prosecutors said Roberts marketed forged Warhols to collectors using fabricated invoices, counterfeit stamps, and fake authentication documents, falsely claiming he had acquired the works directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
Who was Carlos Rodriguez Melendez?
He was Roberts’ co-conspirator, who investigators said posed as an employee of a New York auction company to falsely authenticate the forged artwork. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and received probation.
Why did Roberts miss his first sentencing date?
His attorney told the court Roberts vanished from an Uber on his way to the courthouse and could not be reached. The lawyer suggested a possible medical emergency or a suicide attempt under the stress of impending custody; the circumstances remain unclear. Roberts appeared in court a week later and was sentenced.
Is this the first fake-Warhol case in South Florida?
No. In 2023, Palm Beach County dealer Daniel Elie Bouaziz was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for money laundering tied to counterfeit Warhols.
Where will Roberts serve his sentence?
Judge Altman recommended the Bureau of Prisons place Roberts in a Florida facility capable of addressing his medical needs.
