E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
The owner of a Los Angeles pawn shop has been indicted for allegedly conspiring to sell a stolen Andy Warhol trial proof and providing false information to federal agents. Glenn Steven Bednarsh, 58, is facing charges in a federal grand jury indictment of conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen goods. Bednarsh, formerly from Beverly Hills and now residing in Farmington, Michigan, is expected to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
The indictment details that in February 2021, Bednarsh purchased a stolen Warhol trial proof for $6,000. The artwork, depicting Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, is estimated to be worth $175,000. Bednarsh allegedly conspired with Brian Alec Light, 58, of Hudson, Ohio, to sell the artwork. They attempted to sell the piece through an auction house in Beverly Hills, eventually shipping it to their Dallas office.
Court documents reveal that a Dallas auction house employee, upon consulting a West Hollywood gallery, identified the Warhol piece as stolen and notified the authorities. When questioned by federal agents, Light falsely claimed he bought the trial proof at a Culver City garage sale for $18,000, even providing a fake receipt. Bednarsh later misled the agents in August and September 2021, claiming Light asked him to store the artwork without financial motives.
As with all indictments, these charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Light has pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods and awaits sentencing in May 2024, facing a possible 10-year prison term.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Art Crime Team, with prosecuting duties handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Erik M. Silber and Matthew W. O’Brien.
