New Book Tells How Art Lovers Were Scammed On eBay

New Book Tells How Art Lovers Were Scammed On eBay

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Story Published: Jul 27, 2006 at 9:56 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 8:32 AM PDT

By Corwin Haeck

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SEATTLE - And now, a story of fraud and intrigue in the world of eBay auctions, and it begins with a con man who once "flim-flammed" scores of Seattle art lovers.

The tale involves two former Fort Lewis army buddies -- one a dealer in phony works of art, and the other a lawyer who became his unwitting partner.

Kenneth Walton has written a book about his exploits with art grifter Ken Fetterman -- exploits that changed the way eBay does business.

Under Fetterman's tutelage, Walton would buy thrift store art that resembled the work of famous painters and sell it on eBay.

Increasingly, Walton began to actually alter the paintings, passing one off as the work of California artist Richard Diebenkorn.

But it wasn't the fraud that tripped up Walton, it was bidding on his own auctions, known as shill bidding.

Walton escaped jail time by testifying against his old buddy and Fetterman served about 4 years. And as a result eBay changed its ways.

Walton tells the whole story in his book FAKE: Forgery, Lies and eBay.

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