Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury in New Mexico has found Robert Haack guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud, and violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for selling counterfeit Charles Loloma jewelry on eBay, following a 4-day trial that concluded after approximately 4 hours of deliberation.
Charles Loloma is one of the most well-known Native American jewelry-makers of the 20th century. Today, his work is featured in many galleries and museums across the southwest. His authentic pieces can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that Haack engaged in a sophisticated scheme to defraud buyers by creating counterfeit Loloma jewelry pieces in his California home and selling them for several thousands of dollars per piece on eBay. As part of the investigation into Haack, undercover federal agents purchased two pieces, pictured below, from him off of eBay in order to have them analyzed for authenticity.
Loloma’s niece, Verma Nequatewa, a jeweler who studied under her famous uncle, examined the two pieces purchased from Haack by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agents and testified at trial that they were fakes.
The jury was also presented with evidence seized from Haack‘s home, including raw materials for jewelry-making, unfinished Loloma-style jewelry, engraving tools hidden in a boot, practice Loloma signatures on metal shards, and design sketches.
It is estimated that Haack sold more than four-hundred thousand dollars’ worth of fake Loloma jewelry before he was charged. The scheme spanned several years, causing significant harm not only to the victims who were defrauded but also to Loloma’s legacy and the broader Native American art community.
“We will protect the sacred cultural heritage and unique history of authentic Native American artistry as well as consumers from scammers,” said U.S Attorney Uballez.
“Robert Haack’s counterfeit operation significantly impacted the Native American art and craft marketplace,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and Tribes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is equipped with a dedicated team of special agents focused on enforcing the Indian Art and Crafts Act on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Through these investigations, the Service endeavors to protect and preserve the authenticity of art produced by our Nation’s Native American artisans. We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.”
“Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and tribes,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.”
“Counterfeit Indian art – like Robert Haack’s jewelry that he misrepresented and sold as made by Charles Loloma — the father of contemporary Indian jewelry — tears at the very fabric of Indian culture, livelihoods, and communities,” said Meridith Stanton, Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB). “The IACB by statute is responsible for administering the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), an anti-counterfeiting law that protects Indian artists and consumers. Mr. Haack’s actions demean and rob authentic Indian artists who rely on the creation and sale of their artwork to put food on the table, make ends meet, and pass along these important cultural traditions and skills from one generation to the next. His actions undermine consumers’ confidence in the Indian art market in the Southwest and nationwide. Due to the outstanding work of the Office of the U.S. Attorney-District of New Mexico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service IACA Investigative Unit, Mr. Haack is being held accountable and the message is clear. For those selling counterfeit Indian art and craftwork it is important to know that wherever you are we will diligently work to find you and prosecute you under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.”
Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Haack remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Haack faces up to 20 years in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Amy Lueders, Southwest Region Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made the announcement today.
The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Law Enforcement investigated this case with assistance from the Indians Arts and Crafts Board. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
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