Brian Walshe–the Cohasset man accused of murdering his wife in 2023–was sentenced today in federal court for wire fraud.
The charge stems from Walshe’s sale of two forged Andy Warhol paintings in in late 2016. Walshe initially advertised the forgeries on eBay, falsely claiming that they were from Warhol’s “Shadows” series.
Images of the fake and the original paintings (both atrocious modern art) are shown below.
The eBay price was set at $100,000. An interested buyer contacted Walshe directly, the sale price was reduced to $80,000, and the transaction was completed in-person.
Within days the buyer discovered that the paintings were fake. He attempted to contact Walshe but got no reply.
Ultimately Walshe was charged in federal court with one count of “wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud and unlawful monetary transaction.”
He pleaded guilty in April 2021. Today he was sentenced to 37 months in federal prision with an additional three years of supervised release. He also must pay $475,000 in restitution.
His murder charge is still pending in Norfolk County Superior Court.