Categories: Arts & Culture

Jasper Johns’ Former Assistant Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail

Jasper Johns’ former assistant has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after admitting he stole artworks from the artist’s studio.

James Meyer, 53, confessed to stealing 22 unfinished pieces and selling them to a New York gallery.

“I am truly devastated that I destroyed the close relationship that I had with the man who was my mentor, employer and friend,” he said in court in New York.

James Meyer was ordered to pay restitution of $13.5 million to Jasper Johns and others.

Jasper Johns, 84, is best known for sculptures and paintings of the American flag, including one that sold at auction last year for a record $36 million.

James Meyer was an assistant in Jasper Johns’ Connecticut studio for 25 years, from the age of 21.

In August 2014, James Meyer pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property and admitted moving artworks from the studio to an art gallery in Manhattan between 2006 and 2012.

“I took for granted and betrayed someone who will forever have great meaning in my life. For that, I have profound remorse,” James Meyer told the courtroom.

Jasper Johns had asked James Meyer to destroy some of the works, and had not given any authorization for them to be sold.

James Meyer – who arranged to have around 40 pieces sold through a New York gallery – told the unidentified gallery owner the incomplete works had been personal gifts from Jasper Johns, and provided fake documentation.

He also created fake inventory numbers and pages in a ledger book of registered Jasper Johns artwork to further assure the gallery owner the works were authorized.

James Meyer received approximately $4 million from the sale of the artworks by the gallery. In court on April 23, James Meyer was ordered to forfeit the amount he made from the sales, as well as paying the $13.5 million to compensate the artist and four unidentified buyers.

Prosecutors said one buyer who agreed to return the artworks to Jasper Johns had spent over $7 million on them.

After his arrest in August 2013, James Meyer cooperated with the government and helped recover stolen works from the buyers, prosecutors said. He also turned over 41 additional works that investigators did not know about.

Sonia Pantiss

Sonia is the heart and the artist of the team. She loves art and all that it implies. As Sonia says, good music, a well directed movie, or attending a music or film festival melts people’s heart and make them better. She is great at painting and photography. Working on scrapbooks is her favorite activity.

Share
Published by
Sonia Pantiss

Recent Posts

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Celebrate Election Victory at UFC 309

Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…

5 days ago

White House 2024: Donald Trump Wins, Kamala Harris Calls Him to Concede Election

Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Donald Trump Declares Victory as He Addresses Jubilant Supporters in Florida

Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…

2 weeks ago

Stocks Soaring as Donald Trump Closes in on US Victory

Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Kamala Harris Cancels Election Night Party as Path to Victory Narrows

Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…

2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

2 weeks ago