# data[].attributes.body
Producing a copy of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A work thought to be by Dutch artist Frans Hals that sold for a reported £8.5m ($10.8m) has been declared fake.

Sotheby's said it had "rescinded the sale and reimbursed the client in full" after tests revealed the painting, An Unknown Man, was "undoubtedly" forged.

The investigation followed reports that a sophisticated forger is at large.

The forger is also believed responsible for a painting attributed to Italian master Orazio Gentileschi that was loaned to the National Gallery.

The painting, David Contemplating the Head of Goliath, was loaned to the gallery by its current owner in 2013 and was on display until March this year. It has since been returned.

The National Gallery said it "undertakes due diligence research on a work coming on loan as well as a condition check", and that these were carried out on the painting.

"In the time the painting was at the National Gallery we had no obvious reasons to doubt that David with the Head of Goliath was a work by Gentileschi."

'Modern materials'

Another disputed work, attributed to Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, was seized by authorities in France in March after doubts were raised about its authenticity.

The work had been loaned to an exhibition in Aix-en-Provence by Hans-Adam II, the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein.

According to The Art Newspaper, the work came on to the market in 2012 and was sold "in good faith" to the prince in 2013.

Analysis by BBC arts editor Will Gompertz

Page one of any decent guide to the business of acquiring artworks should spell out in bold letters, BUYER BEWARE.

Unless you have bought the painting or sculpture directly from the studio of a living artist, you are running the risk of buying a fake.

On the plus side, science is increasingly playing a part in authenticating artworks - but then a top notch forger tends to find ways to stay ahead of the game.

Provenance is all. If you want to reduce the odds of purchasing a fake, then you need the paperwork that details all past owners and what they have done to conserve the piece.

The more gaps in an artwork's "backstory", the greater the opportunity for Mr Dodgy to get to work. In the parlance of the motor trade, you really need to see a full service history.

Fakes are far more common than many in the art world would admit in public. Uncertainty is rarely good for business. But then just look at the success of shows like Fake or Fortune, which appear to have an endless supply of tales to tell.

Sotheby's said that "with the agreement of the seller" of the work thought to have been by Hals, which was sold in 2011, it had "informed the buyer of a possible issue with the authenticity of the painting".

It subjected the Hals painting to "an in-depth technical analysis" after links emerged between it and the Cranach.

Sotheby's said the tests "showed the presence of modern materials used in the painting in a way that meant it could not have been painted in the 17th Century".

'Best faker of all time'

Speaking on Radio 4's World at One, art historian Bendor Grosvenor called the case "extraordinary".

"What is amazing about [the painting] is the quality and the fact that it's not a copy," he said.

"Whoever has subsumed the aura of Hals when he painted this also came up with a totally fresh composition.

"If these [paintings] are fake, and I believe they are very likely to be, we are dealing with the best faker of all time."
Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A work thought to be by Dutch artist Frans Hals that sold for a reported £8.5m ($10.8m) has been declared fake. Sotheby's said it had "rescinded the sale and reimbursed the client in full" after tests revealed the painting, An Unknown Man, was "undoubtedly" forged.

# data[].attributes.body
News Article

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NEWTOWN -- A 51-year-old Newtown woman pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to embezzling more than $1.5 million from her employer.

Joanne Osmolik, the former vice president of human resources for Latex International in Shelton, admitted using corporate money to pay personal expenses and to submitting bogus expense reports to cover up the theft, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Osmolik waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud before Judge Stefan Underhill in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.

The embezzlement, which also allegedly involved another member of the company's senior management, occurred between October 2008 and November 2010.

Company president Dave Fisher said that after the theft was discovered, the company conducted a "comprehensive investigation "and turned the evidence over to federal authorities.

"Osmolik's guilty plea today demonstrates that she betrayed her obligations to the company, its employees and stakeholders," Fisher said in a statement issued by Latex International.

As part of the scheme, Osmolik charged more than $1 million in personal expenses on the corporate American Express card issued to her, the government said. She also billed the company for and collected another $531,000 for fraudulent expenses, according to authorities.

She spent the money on motorcycles, snowmobiles, jewelry and home furnishing, among other things, the government said.

Osmolik faces a term of up to 20 years in prison and a fine when she is sentenced March 9.

As part of the plea deal, she agreed to forfeit her interest in three homes in Vermont, six motorcycles, four snowmobiles, vehicle trailers, jewelry, appliances and furniture, the government said.

Latex International, which was founded in 1975, is the world's largest manufacturer of latex pillows and mattresses, according to the company.

Contact John Pirro at jpirro@newstimes.com or 203-731-3342.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Woman guilty in $1.5 million embezzlement

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NEWTOWN -- A 51-year-old Newtown woman pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to embezzling more than $1.5 million from her employer. Joanne Osmolik, the former vice president of human resources for Latex International in Shelton, admitted using corporate money to pay personal expenses and to submitting bogus expense reports to cover up the theft, according to a spokesman for the U.S.

# data[].attributes.body
Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.

# data[].attributes.body
entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a crime,

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
LADUE * Police are investigating after a housekeeper reported she was hit in the head during the burglary of a Ladue home.

Police chief Rich Wooten sent an email to residents Wednesday notifying them of the reported break-in and assault on Upper Ladue Road home that day.

The residents left the home around 9 a.m. Wednesday, Wooten said in the message. The housekeeper told police she entered the home around 11:45 a.m. and heard voices coming from somewhere inside the house.

She tried to find the source of the voice and was struck on the head with an unknown object, according to police. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

The woman was not able to give a description of the assailant.

Police did not say whether anything was taken from the home.

Sgt. Ray Hahs said police have not received any leads on suspects yet, but are checking camera footage from nearby homes as a part of the ongoing investigation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Housekeeper attacked in Ladue home during burglary, police say

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
LADUE * Police are investigating after a housekeeper reported she was hit in the head during the burglary of a Ladue home. Police chief Rich Wooten sent an email to residents Wednesday notifying them of the reported break-in and assault on Upper Ladue Road home that day.

# data[].attributes.body
News Article

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With his unwitting victim yards away, veteran con man and ex-stripper Guy Cummings did the felony fandango with her credit cards and purse, cops say.

The accused scammer, with a criminal dance card dating back more than two decades, surrendered Tuesday at the Midtown North Precinct stationhouse to face grand larceny charges.

The 50-year-old former exotic dancer was decked out in a leather jacket, cowboy boots and sported an '80s-style mullet the night he nabbed her purse and coat from a Theater District bar, his victim, Stephanie Ryan, 46, of Brielle, N.J., told the Daily News.

"Like he was some kind of rock star guy," she said.

In the past, authorities said Cummings' methods were far more elaborate - posing as a cop, a CIA agent and a mobster during a run of ripoffs.

His vivid history includes tales of life as a movie actor, dodging a pack of police dogs by hiding in a pond and breathing through a reed, and penning a book and a screenplay about his life, according to a source close to the suspect.

The truth was a lot less colorful than the fictions Cummings spun.

About those police dogs, police at the time said Cummings was actually bitten by one of the pooches and arrested soon after.

After going on the lam in 1994, Cummings billed himself as a real-life Rambo who would never be brought in alive. But police said that was just another bogus role: Cummings surrendered in May 1997 after running out of money and "people to scam" in Arizona.

(Michael Graae/For New York Daily News)

His most recent alleged scam took place inside the Mean Fiddler on W. 47th St. in the early morning hours of Dec. 5, officials said, after Ryan's boyfriend left the pub. When she got up to use the bathroom, Cummings grabbed her purse and her coat and two-stepped away. The bag held three credit cards, a bank card, a cell phone and a wallet, police said. Cops gave a freezing, coatless Ryan a voucher and put her on a train home. "I had nothing, it was horrible," she said. "It was just a nightmare."

She felt better Tuesday night after identifying the suspect in a lineup at the Midtown North stationhouse. "I feel a little at peace," Ryan said.

Cummings was released without bail after being arraigned. "We're confident ... he'll be exonerated," said attorney Kevin Faga.

(Michael Graae/For New York Daily News)

With Barry Paddock
Send a Letter to the Editor

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Con man faces grand larceny charge after taking credit cards

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With his unwitting victim yards away, veteran con man and ex-stripper Guy Cummings did the felony fandango with her credit cards and purse, cops say. The accused scammer, with a criminal dance card dating back more than two decades, surrendered Tuesday at the Midtown North Precinct stationhouse to face grand larceny charges.

# data[].attributes.body
Illinois criminal law classifies theft as an offense directed against property, which is defined as "anything of value." ... Obtains or exerts unauthorized control over property of the owner.

# data[].attributes.body
News Article

# data[].attributes.body
The practice of obtaining something, especially money through force or threats

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
New Albany police are investigating an alleged extortion involving the city's finance director but no public money appears to have been involved, city leaders said Oct. 6.

New Albany police are investigating an alleged extortion involving the city's finance director but no public money appears to have been involved, city leaders told ThisWeek on Oct. 6.

New Albany spokesman Scott McAfee and police Chief Greg Jones said Chad Fuller told police at the end of May he had been forced to pay two individuals $70,250 since December.

McAfee said New Albany officials have no reason to believe city funds could have been involved. He said at least three people must sign off on any financial transactions for the city, and the city's auditor is aware of the investigation.

Jones said the alleged extortion began in December, when Fuller agreed to meet a woman via an internet dating website. He said it appeared to be a legal business but police do not know if it is used to facilitate prostitution.

Fuller canceled the date, Jones said, but paid the woman after she asked for money. The woman and a male companion began to request payment from him in exchange for not ruining his business reputation, according to the police report.

Police have no time line for when the extortion investigation would conclude, Jones said, but officers have identified suspects and will attempt to interview them before turning evidence over to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office for a decision whether to bring charges.

"You want to be right, not necessarily quick," Jones said.

Fuller, who is married, will make $113,124 this year as finance director, according to ohiotreasurer.gov. He continues to serve in that capacity, according to McAfee.

Fuller directed ThisWeek to William Nolan with the Barnes & Thornburg law firm for a prepared statement:

"In response to the police report released today, I apologize for any distraction. I assure the citizens of New Albany that, while I take responsibility for a mistake in judgment in meeting with an individual described in the report, I engaged in no physical relationship with her. Most important, this matter has not affected my commitment to and performance of my job. I have done nothing illegal, but out of diligence have retained legal counsel to consult with if and as needed. My only desire is to put this matter behind me and focus on being the best husband, father and finance director I can be. Finally, I have been in regular communication with my superiors and will continue to work with them so this personal matter does not interfere with my continuing to serve New Albany well as its finance director. I will monitor any further developments in the police investigation and cooperate with them, and communicate further with concerned parties, as appropriate. At this point I will have no further comment as I am evaluating my options with respect to these individuals."

For more on this story, read the Oct. 13 edition of ThisWeek New Albany News.

ssole@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekSarah

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
New Albany: No reason to believe alleged extortion of finance director involved public funds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New Albany police are investigating an alleged extortion involving the city's finance director but no public money appears to have been involved, city leaders said Oct. 6. New Albany police are investigating an alleged extortion involving the city's finance director but no public money appears to have been involved, city leaders told ThisWeek on Oct.

# data[].attributes.body
Independent of any criminal prosecution or the result of that prosecution, a person suffering damage to property or injury to his or her person as a result of institutional vandalism may bring a civil action for damages, injunction or other appropriate relief.

# data[].attributes.body
News Article

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
KERRVILLE - Authorities investigating a weekend fire that severely burned a local boy said Thursday they believe he was accidentally splashed with gasoline as he and three friends gathered around a fire they'd started in a dilapidated neighborhood shed.

The account, which ran counter to assertions by the burned boy's family that he was intentionally injured, was provided at a press briefing Thursday to discuss the arrest of another boy who police say threw the can of gasoline that caused the burns.
RELATED: 10-year-old Kerrville boy in a coma after suffering severe burns
He was taken into custody about 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Kerrville police station, where he was being interviewed about the incident that left Kayden Culp, 10, burned over 20 percent of his body and in a drug-induced coma at University Hospital, police said.

Police Chief David Knight said the youngsters, all friends, had started a fire in the shed on a vacant lot in the 800 block of Wallace Street. One of them went to get some gasoline to make it burn better, and the boy now in custody poured the gas from a container onto the fire, igniting gas still in the container.
MORE: Violent threats lead to charges of soliciting capital murder of unborn child in Comal County
The boy then discarded the can, resulting in Kayden being splashed with the flaming liquid, Knight said.

The investigation is continuing and authorities said the families of the boys involved have been cooperative. The name and age of the accused was not publicly released because he is a juvenile, but members of his family attended the briefing and afterward called Kayden's burning a regrettable accident that occurred during horseplay among neighborhood buddies.

"He's innocent until we hear proof he's guilty," said the boy's grandmother, decrying accounts of the incident that portrayed him in a negative light. "He's not a monster."

That account contrasted with assertions by Kayden's mother, Tristyn Hatchett, that the boys intentionally harmed her son.

RELATED: Manhunt ends for insane wife-killer who escaped S.A. mental hospital

Of the arson charge, Bobby Hatchett, Kayden's father, said, "It's about time," in a phone interview early Thursday from his son's University Hospital room. Hatchett said he thinks two other boys involved in the incident should also face charges.

Kayden's condition was improving, his father said.

"He's stable today," Hatchett said. "He's doing a lot better than the last two days."

Tristyn Hatchett said Wednesday that a relative of one of the four or five boys present during the incident told her afterward that one boy had poured gasoline on Culp and another boy ignited it.
Also, she noted, "The other boys who were there have been telling kids at school that it was not an accident, that it was intentional."

Kayden, who has a hearing disorder and a speech impediment, was often picked on by playmates, family members said.
zeke@express-news.net
"They make fun of him. He gets beat up in Carver Park every time he's goes up there. That's just the way it is. The kids are really mean," said Alike Richardson, his aunt, on Wednesday.

Hatchett's coworkers at the International House of Pancakes began a fundraising effort to help the family at https://www.youcaring.com/tristyn-hatchett-662011.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Police: Kerrville boy's horrific burns caused by accidental gasoline splash, 1 juvenile arrested

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
KERRVILLE - Authorities investigating a weekend fire that severely burned a local boy said Thursday they believe he was accidentally splashed with gasoline as he and three friends gathered around a fire they'd started in a dilapidated neighborhood shed.

# data[].attributes.body
Definition: The taking with the intent of stealing the personal property of another

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Closing ranks. Khloé Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner have pulled the plug on planned appearances amid security concerns in the wake of their big sister Kim Kardashian's terrifying robbery in Paris, a source tells Us Weekly.

"Appearances are being cancelled for them because of the robbery," a source tells Us. "Kendall, Kylie and Khloé have cancelled upcoming book signings."

Khloé was set to promote the paperback edition of her New York Times bestseller Strong Looks Better Naked, which is out October 18; while the Jenner sisters' second novel, Time of the Twins: The Story of Lex and Livia, is set for release on November 15.

"The family is all on lockdown right now," a second source tells Us. "They're deciding when to discuss the situation and how to move forward."

As Us Weekly previously reported, filming on the family's E! reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, was put "on hold indefinitely" after Kim, 35, was robbed at gunpoint, tied up and gagged in Paris in the early hours of Monday, October 3.

The Selfish author flew to New York shortly after the incident and was reunited with her worried husband, Kanye West, 39, who walked offstage mid-performance when he heard the news about his wife.

The couple and their two children, North, 3, and Saint, 10 months, travelled back to their home in L.A. on Thursday, October 6.

Kim covered her face with a white hoodie as she carried her daughter to a waiting SUV, and "they had several security guards with them," a source told Us.

The reality star has been keeping a low profile since the frightening event, during which millions of dollars in jewelry was stolen, and is taking some time off over the next several weeks, a source told Us. West, meanwhile, rescheduled two shows set for this week.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Khloe, Kendall, Kylie Cancel Appearances After Kim Robbery

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Closing ranks. Khloé Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner have pulled the plug on planned appearances amid security concerns in the wake of their big sister Kim Kardashian 's terrifying robbery in Paris, a source tells Us Weekly. "Appearances are being cancelled for them because of the robbery," a source tells Us.

# data[].attributes.body
Definition:
The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property. (Also know as Pyromania