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New York Post
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
How a street peddler fooled some of Manhattan's biggest art collectors — and killed off the city's oldest art gallery
Nestled within the mood light of the Jean-Georges restaurant at the Mark, or seated straight-back against a Turkish pillow in the Gallery at the Carlyle, the denizens of the Upper East Side float in a fish-bowl world. Scandals, like personalities, are magnified. Collisions are inevitable. Yet even today, more than 15 years after her resignation from Manhattan's eminent Knoedler gallery and the circus trial that followed, society swims away from Ann Freedman. 'She did turn heads when she walked in,' said documentary filmmaker Barry Avrich of his first encounter with Freedman over 'a few bottles of expensive Montrachet Chardonnay' at the Mark, followed by dinner at Sant Ambroeus on Madison Avenue. 'And people would talk. Nobody was rushing like the old days to see her. Obviously, that had to hurt. She was a pariah.' 12 Math teacher turned master forger, Pei Shen Qian has been accused of forging the names of abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell and Willem de Kooning on at least 70 paintings. In 2016, what had been elite gossip exploded into the art fraud trial of the century. Freedman, the former president of Knoedler & Co. — Manhattan's then-oldest art gallery, founded in 1846 — was accused of facilitating the sale of $80 million in fake art. The plot, involving a pair of Long Island-based con artists and a math teacher turned master forger named Pei-Shen Qian, was audacious in ambition: Allegedly forging the names of abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell and Willem de Kooning on at least 70 paintings. Everyone from museum experts and art scholars to the relatives of the artists themselves fell for it. But the case was settled before Freedman took the stand. She walked. Was she an avaricious conspirator — or merely another victim of the con, as she maintains? The mystery of her guilt will now never be settled. 12 A few of Pei Shen Qian's faked Rothkos. 12 And a real work by abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. Alamy Stock Photo But for an insular and supercilious cadre of blue-chip collectors, there is no question that Freedman is to blame for their embarrassment. Perhaps flamboyant financier Pierre Lagrange spoke for the entire neighborhood when, over drinks at the Carlyle, he allegedly screamed at Freedman: 'I will set your hair on fire!' He was displeased at discovering that the paint on the $17 million Pollock he bought from her wasn't invented until 1957 — the year after Pollock died. Avrich has now written the definitive account of Freedman's fall, and her ambiguous role in the high-culture hustle to trump them all, in 'The Devil Wears Rothko,' out Tuesday. The title references what Avrich calls Freedman's 'very steely, Anna Wintour'-like personality — belied by her rimless glasses, curly gray hair and cashmere wardrobe. 12 Ann Freedman was the director of Knoedler when the fakes came through the gallery, but has insisted she, too, was duped. AP The book is a follow-up to the author's juicy 2020 documentary 'Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art,' streaming on Netflix. ''The Devil Wears Rothko' charts the explosive demise of New York's oldest and most prestigious art gallery with detailed and salacious insight into one of the world's largest art frauds, involving an '$80 million deception that duped high-profile experts, famous collectors and museums,' Avrich writes. As The Post wrote in 2016, the fraud began in the early 1990s, when a former waiter from Spain, Jose Carlos Bergantiños Diaz, came upon a Chinese artist peddling art on a Manhattan sidewalk. Bergantiños offered to pay the man, Pei-Shen Qian, $500 per painting. 'Bergantiños would make the paintings look older with tea and dirt,' lawyer Luke Nikas, who represented Freedman, said at the time. 'Finally, he would give the art to Glafira Rosales' — his wife, who was a small-time art dealer on Long Island. 12 Before it closed in 2011, following the scandal, Knoedler was New York City's longest standing art gallery. Robert Miller But in 2003, a Pollock that originated with Rosales was deemed a fake by the nonprofit International Foundation for Art Research, leading to a $2 million refund from Knoedler to the buyer. Still, Freedman continued doing business with Rosales. In 2011, Pierre Lagrange sued the gallery over the fake Pollock after Christie's and Sotheby's turned it down for auction. A day later, Knoedler closed its doors. Rosales eventually admitted to moving more than 60 'lost' works by Rothko and others — really painted by Qian — to Knoedler and downtown art dealer Julian Weissman. In 2016, Freedman's attorney told The Post that she too was duped. 12 Domenico De Sole, seen here with wife Eleanor, was one of the high-flying Knoedler clients scammed. Getty Images 12 De Sole is the chairman of Tom Ford's brand. Getty Images But Gregory A. Clarick, a lawyer for De Sole, had doubts. 'The biggest [problem] is that . . . Rosales kept walking in [to Knoedler] with unknown works that had no documentation. This should have signaled that the works were fake,' he told The Post at the time. Avrich's book also serves as a behind-the-scenes making of his film about the case, while diving broadly into the opaque milieu of fine art dealing, the history of forgery and the increasingly high-tech fakes flooding the market. If there's a punchline to the whole affair it's that, while the seething ultra-rich collectors — like Tom Ford chairman Domenico De Sole, private-equity powerhouse John Howard, former US ambassador Nicholas Taubman, casino CEO Frank Fertitta and Lagrange — took hits to their wallets and reputations, the criminally culpable con men mostly got away with it. 12 Hedge funder Pierre Lagrange (center left) sued the gallery over a fake Jackson Pollock after Christie's and Sotheby's turned it down for auction. Greg Kahn Rosales, who peddled the fakes to Freedman, only did three months in the slammer. Bergantiños, fled to Spain, where extradition was denied. Qian fled to China. The playboy Michael Hammer — father of actor Armie Hammer — who owned Knoedler and made a fortune from the fraud, died in 2022 . 'I believe that everybody in this story was guilty of something,' Avrich told the Post. 'The art was hot, and everyone was trading on that.' Following Qian to his apartment in Shanghai, Avrich discovered a room filled with 'hundreds of paintings' leaned against the walls. 12 Glafira Rosales, a small-time Long Island dealer, pleaded guilty to selling the forged artwork. Gabriella Bass 'He claims he's only doing them for himself, he isn't selling them, but who knows,' the author said. Several galleries in China have exhibited Qian's works and, in a surprise turn, he has become a sought after artist. 'I've had dozens of people reach out to me to try and find Qian's paintings to broker them,' said Avrich. 'They say, 'I'll pay you hundreds of thousands of dollars.'' But the majority of the fake art is still with the collectors who bought it and are too humiliated to let it see the light of day. 12 'The Devil Wears Rothko' is on sale Tuesday. 'Some were seized by the FBI and marked as fakes, some were destroyed, but the rest, collectors kept,' Avrich said. 'I asked Domenico de Sole where the Rothko was, and he said, 'It's hanging on my daughter's wall.'' Rosales has had less luck trading on her ill-fame. Ordered to pay $81 million to victims of the fraud, she has seen authorities seize multiple properties, $33 million and more than 200 works of art, including authentic paintings by Sean Scully, Jules Olitski, Ellsworth Kelly and Andy Warhol. She served nine months of house arrest and three years' probation. Rosales was last seen 'working as a bus girl in a restaurant, living in a rented room, struggling to live on a minimal salary,' according to her attorney. 12 'I've had dozens of people reach out to me to try and find Qian's paintings to broker them,' said book author Barry Avrich of the alleged faker (picured). Bloomberg via Getty Images Bergantiños — who according to Avrich, got his start dealing fake beluga caviar (even selling it to auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's) — has fared better. Safe from the FBI's Art Crime Team, he agreed to meet with Avrich in his home town in Lugo, Spain, where he 'showed no remorse and blamed Rosales.' 'Before trying to sell me a harmonica that he claimed was once owned by Bob Dylan, he offered me advice on buying art: 'I would buy two or three upcoming artists and then sit on the paintings and the value will go up,'' Avrich recounted. 'He added: 'I entered the art world where many are called, but few are chosen.'' As for Freedman, she's still dealing art from a space at 25 East 73rd Street, steps from her old throne at Knoedler. 12 Rosales, who peddled the fakes to Freedman, only did three months in the slammer. REUTERS 'She's been selling art with some fervor for the last decade,' said Avrich. 'But the gallery walls are mostly covered with emerging artists and the odd secondary market blue-chip art that she is selling on behalf of someone's estate.' Although she's still a regular sight on Madison Ave., Freedman keeps a low profile. Her website is out of date, her Instagram is dead and her Facebook hasn't been updated since 2023. Still, the cracks keep on coming. 'Wonderful gallery!' begins one sarcastic Google review. 'They are all so nice! On the way out, a thin, curly, gray haired lady whispered that she could get me a Picasso for $500. I talked her down to $325! Paint was barely dry! It looks great, hanging over the cat litter box!' Nevertheless, Avrich says he's taken flak for not going even harder on Freedman. 'I screened the film for Alec Baldwin,' said Avrich of the actor who, in 2010, bought a $190,000 phony painting by Ross Bleckner from a different unscrupulous dealer. 'He yelled at me as only Alec Baldwin does, saying, 'You treat her like a schoolgirl that did something wrong during recess. You have to be tougher on her,'' Avrich recalled. 'But that wasn't my role. I wasn't making a '60 Minutes' episode, or being Michael Moore. I let her tell her story. The world can decide where things shake out. Where she sits in this is a debate that rages on.'
New York Post
07-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
New bill would mandate 'anti-choking' devices in NYC schools
Every school in NYC would be required to have 'airway clearance devices' to help prevent choking deaths under a City Council bill gaining bipartisan steam. The legislation sponsored by Bronx Republican Kristy Marmorato would mandate that city schools stock the portable, suction-based devices on site. It already has support from 11 Democrats and four other Republicans, and was expected to be the subject of a public hearing this month. The devices, which can be self-administered and are considered an alternative to the Heimlich maneuver, usually run $50 to $70 each, but Long Island-based LifeVac has offered to supply each Big Apple school with a device and an instructional video on how they work at no charge, according to the company. 3 NYC Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato (R-Bronx) sponsored a bill that would mandate city schools stock 'airway clearance devices' to help prevent choking deaths. James Keivom Heidi Felix, LifeVac's vice president of sales, said the company has already donated more than 10,000 devices to schools nationwide and welcomes doing the same in NYC. There's more than 1,800 public schools and about 900 private schools in the Big Apple. The issue is personal for Marmorato. 3 LifeVac has already donated more than 10,000 devices to schools nationwide and welcomes doing the same in NYC. LifeVac She had a scary incident eight years ago when her then-18-month-old daughter choked on a piece of apple. A trained health care professional, Marmorato was able to save her daughter — but recalled it was a 'very frightening experience.' Her grandfather, Michael Rendino, died three decades ago while choking on a piece of meat at a restaurant after the Heimlich maneuver failed. 3 More than 1,800 public schools and about 900 private schools in the Big Apple would have the life-saving devices under the bill. Monkey Business – 'This is not just about my child,' she said. 'It's about all the children in New York City. Even if one device saves one kid's life, it's tremendous, and it's a win for parents and families.' She said she expects the legislation to be approved,considering it won't cost taxpayers a cent. Albany pols are reviewing similar legislation to require schools statewide to stock 'airway clearance devices.' City Hall spokesman Zachary Nosanchuk said the Department of Education and Mayor's Office will review the legislation, but added 'we continue to train [school] staff to use the Heimlich maneuver' because it remains the 'recommended first-aid technique to save children who are choking.'
New York Post
06-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Jockey Junior Alvarado savoring Sovereignty's run in roller-coaster spring ahead of Belmont Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS — No jockey in the nation — perhaps no athlete, for that matter — has seen more ups and downs this spring than Long Island-based Junior Alvarado. He's been injured falling off a horse that had suffered a heart attack, won the Kentucky Derby aboard Sovereignty, been fined and suspended for alleged whip abuse in that life-changing triumph, and felt the letdown of his horse being held out of the Preakness, ending his Triple Crown hopes. There's still so much more to the Alvarado and Sovereignty story to be told, beginning Saturday in the 157th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. There will be seven other horses in the field, including Preakness winner Journalism, who is the 8-5 morning line favorite, just ahead of 2-1 Sovereignty. 5 Jockey Junior Alvarado will ride Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes. Jason Szenes for the NY Post Other top contenders include Baeza, who ran third in the Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez and Bobby Flay-owned Crudo. Alvarado wasn't sure he'd get to ride Sovereignty for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in the Kentucky Derby. On March 23, he was aboard Term in the 10th race at Gulfstream Park. Term suffered a fatal heart attack, throwing Alvarado and fracturing his shoulder blade. He missed his Florida Derby ride on Sovereignty but was back for the Derby. 5 Jockey Junior Alvarado arrives to the barn on June 4, 2025. Jason Szenes for the NY Post At Churchill Downs, Sovereignty outdueled Journalism down the stretch for the 39-year-old Alvarado's crowning glory. 'It's the greatest achievement I have in my career as a jockey,' Alvarado told The Post in a wide-ranging conversation outside Sovereignty's barn at Saratoga. 'Even personally, it's taken me to many good places. It's been a really good experience, not only for me but with my family.' Alvarado's victory tour has included throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium and having an ice cream flavor — Junior Mint — named after him by his sponsor, the 98-year-old Hildebrandt's of Williston Park. 'We've been a team and it's nice to have a teammate that can participate in something like that,' Mott said. 'He's been very loyal to us in terms of being willing to ride whatever we wanted him to ride and he's done a good job for us. So that's special.' 5 Jockey Junior Alvarado kisses his horse Sovereignty at the barn on June 4, 2025. Jason Szenes for the NY Post The jockey, who resides in Garden City with his wife, Kelly, and three children, became an instant local celebrity after his victory at Churchill Downs. 'It's been very interesting. When we got home Sunday morning, we had a 'Congratulations' on the front door, we had an inflatable horse, I couldn't even believe people already knew that and were putting stuff up at the house,' he said. 'Everywhere in town where we go, someone recognizes me. It's been very heartwarming.' The joyride did not include a chance to win the Triple Crown, however, as Mott and ownership at Godolphin Racing quickly opted to skip the Preakness and rest up for the Belmont. 'For me, the dream was to win the Derby,' he said. 'Once I won the Derby, a few days later, I started thinking I probably could have a chance at a Triple Crown. 5 Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrates after winning the Kentucky Derby on May 3. USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'But I know the way Bill Mott works and that there would be a slim chance he would get to run in the Preakness. Eventually he did say to me that they wanted to skip that. So you're a little bummed about it. You want to have a Triple Crown, you have the ability to [win] one, but you've got to do what's best for the horse.' Alvarado is the son of Venezuelan jockey Rafael Alvarado. Junior — his legal first name after his parents listed it as Junior Rafael Alvarado on his birth certificate — came to the U.S. in 2007 as a bug boy (apprentice jockey). 5 Jockey Junior Alvarado reacts after winning the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025. USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images His Kentucky Derby joy was tempered by a two-day suspension and $62,000 fine by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for allegedly whipping Sovereignty eight times (the limit is six). Alvarado says an appeal is pending and that although he presented the whip eight times, he struck the horse only six times. Mott agrees, telling The Post he's watched the video numerous times and counted only six strikes. 'I don't think they can count,' he said. None of that will matter Saturday, and Alvarado believes he has the best horse in the Belmont. 'He's very smart,' Alvarado said of Sovereignty. 'He lets me know. He tells me when he's ready. At a certain point in the race, he kind of jumps on it and, 'Hey, I'm ready to go.' After that you just take the reins and guide him and most of the time he's there for me.'
New York Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Tech company breaks ground on LI, makes big pledge to bring jobs back from China, India
A Long Island-based tech company said its bringing jobs back home from China and India, pledging to open four factories in Suffolk County. Orbic North America announced its 'Project Patriot' Wednesday — that would mean three new solar-powered factories in Hauppauge and one in Bay Shore opening their doors at the start of next year, bringing 1,000 manufacturing jobs back to America. 'I keep getting asked, 'why,' but I don't think I need to debate with anyone,' Narula said of moving manufacturing to New York and possibly seeing a cut in profits to do so. Advertisement 3 Orbic North America, a Long Island-based tech company, is bringing jobs back home from China and India, while also planning to build four factories across Suffolk County. Brandon Cruz 'We're going to be able to produce more volume and sell more units, so it will offset everything — there will be no loss in profits,' he told The Post. Narula said the company — whose products include phones, computers and parts — will now be able to pump out over 5,000 units a year, thousands more than they were making overseas. Advertisement James Gowen, senior vice president of Supply Chain for Verizon — who is partnered with Orbic North America to power their tech — said that Verizon unequivocally supports the move. 'Our commitment is to invest in America,' he said. Narula said the move had nothing to do with Trump's tariff policy, and said the move was in the works prior to the election. 3 CEO Mike Narula said he isn't debating anyone about relocating manufacturing to the Big Apple, despite potentially seeing a cut in potential profits. Brandon Cruz Advertisement 3 Narula told The Post, 'We're going to be able to produce more volume and sell more units, so it will offset everything — there will be no loss in profits.' Brandon Cruz 'We couldn't have gotten this far if this was just a reaction to his announcement in January,' he said. 'But we need to take control of the supply chain and other manufacturing that needs to be done here.' Advertisement Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine attended the announcement and shared his appreciation for the company 'leading the way and providing the future' for other businesses and Long Islanders. 'Orbic will play a key role in helping define a new era in the Long Island business community,' Romaine told The Post. 'We're looking forward to seeing them open their doors and create hundreds of jobs for Long Island.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Northwell CEO Michael Dowling to step down in October
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling is stepping down as president and CEO of the nonprofit provider effective October 1, the health system said Wednesday. The executive, who has been at the helm of Northwell for more than 23 years, will continue to support the New York-based system in an advisory capacity as CEO Emeritus, according to the news release. Dowling was Northwell's first CEO and helped grow the company from a network of Long Island-based hospitals into one of the largest systems in the country, most recently through a merger with Nuvance Health. The deal took over a year to close and came with considerable regulatory conditions, including agreements from Northwell to invest in Nuvance facilities and constrain price growth. Still, the merger greatly swelled Northwell's size, adding seven hospitals to its portfolio and creating a nearly $23 billion system. The combined health system now employs approximately 104,000 workers across 28 hospitals and 1,000 care locations, according to the news release. Northwell's Board of Trustees has named John D'Angelo as Dowling's successor. D'Angelo, a former emergency medicine physician who currently serves as executive vice president of Northwell's central region, has been with Northwell for more than 25 years, including in clinical and administrative leadership roles. Recommended Reading Northwell, Nuvance complete merger Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
