Art Forger Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy

HARRISBURG – Earl Marshawn Washington, 61, was sentenced to 52 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, at the time of his guilty plea, Washington admitted to working with a series of romantic partners, dating back to 2013, to create and sell counterfeit artistic goods known as “woodblocks” or “woodcuts.”

Washington was originally charged by indictment in January 2023, along with his then wife, Zsanett Nagy. As part of Washington’s plea agreement, the original charges against him were dismissed, and a new charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud was filed.

Washington and Nagy each admitted to selling inauthentic woodblocks and prints made from woodblocks that they as advertised as being from between the 15th and early 20th centuries. The buyers included a pair of woodblock collectors residing in France, as well as a buyer of a woodblock print who then resided in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Washington was ordered to pay restitution to victims in the total amount of $203,240.90 and ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.

Nagy was sentenced to time served in January 2024. She also faces potential deportation for her conviction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team – Philadelphia Division, with assistance from the FBI Art Crime Program at FBI Headquarters.

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