The Russian modernist market is notorious for the number of fakes circulating. Yet Gary Tatintsian bought 165 of them which he resold to buyers back in Russia. He’s received complaints on 35 of the works he sold and refunded $3m. Now he’s suing his source, according to the New York Post:

In his Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit, New York gallery owner Gary Tatintsian says Connecticut dealer Lev Nussberg sold him the bogus works along with about 165 other fakes starting in 2006.

The unsuspecting Tatintsian then peddled the artwork to Russian businessmen for millions of dollars, his lawsuit says.

But over the next few years, the Russians sent nearly three dozen of the works back to Tatintsian, saying they were fakes and demanding a refund.

Tatintsian, who coughed up the dough, says Nussberg knew that the works were frauds when he sold them to him.

But Nussberg says it was either Tatintsian or the Russians who switched the real works for the fake ones.

A Manhattan jury is set to hear the case in October.

Gallery owner claims art dealer sold him 165 fake pieces: suit  (New York Post)