Accused art scammer is convicted after bizarre trial; dismissed juror has screaming fit about Nazis
An accused art scammer who represented himself at trial, racking up 471 days in jail for interrupting the judge and making prejudicial statements, has been convicted for fraud and for a short-lived escape from custody.
Jurors in San Francisco convicted Luke Brugnara on Tuesday, a day after a ranting juror was dismissed for failing to disclose his criminal past, report Courthouse News Service and the Recorder. Brugnara was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of making false declarations to the court, escape and contempt, and acquitted on three other counts.
After the verdict, Brugnara accused U.S. District Judge William Alsup of being “prejudiced against me from day one,” according to Courthouse News Service. “Get the noose ready,” Brugnara said. “We can loop up the noose over there. We can use my belt. It’s called a lynching.”
Brugnara was accused of agreeing to pay about $11 million for several artworks, then refusing to pay after he accepted delivery. He escaped from custody in February during a furlough arranged for a meeting with his lawyer in the attorney lounge at the San Francisco federal building. He was captured nearly a week later.
The dismissed juror, Ivan Jakic, was taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation after a screaming fit in court on Monday, according to Courthouse News Service. “I tell you this is a Nazi system. No Nazi lawyers! Down with Nazi lawyers,” the juror screamed. Pointing at the judge, he yelled, “I blame you! He’s an agent of a Nazi, fascist system! [Luke] Brugnara is not guilty! Communists!” Both the Recorder and Courthouse News have prior coverage of his outburst.
Hat tip to ArtNet News.
