FBI agents seen hauling items out of Coconut Grove art gallery

FBI agents were “conducting court-authorized activity” in the business district of Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, the agency confirmed.

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Video from Sky 10 showed FBI tents set up directly against the backdrop of the distinct multicolored, grinning oranges that clad the Miami Fine Art Gallery at 3180 Commodore Plaza.

6 p.m. report:

Authorities have not confirmed whether the business or its owner is the subject of their investigation or whether it pertains to art.

A Local 10 News crew saw agents hauling out what appeared to be pieces of artwork wrapped in foam inside cardboard boxes.

Nearby restaurant owner Vincenzo Borriello had to shut down his business for the day because of the raid.

“I came in today at 9 a.m. and I see outside of my restaurant, like, 35 FBI agents,” he said.

The New York Times and the Coconut Grove Spotlight have recently reported on ongoing lawsuits against Miami Fine Art and owner Les Roberts over allegations that he sold fake paintings claimed to be from famed artist Andy Warhol.

Those outlets report that Roberts has denied any wrongdoing.

Public records show Roberts pleaded guilty in federal court in 2015 to mail fraud after prosecutors alleged he sold “forged and fraudulent copies” of paintings and represented them as real. He received a 22-month prison sentence.

“I try to be more cautious than ever because of my past,” he said of his past conviction in the Times’ Aug. 30, 2024 story about one of the lawsuits.

This is a developing story. Stay with Local 10 News and Local10.com for updates.