Nicholas P. Hatch Ordered to Restitute Funds After Pleading Guilty to Mail Fraud

Courtesy of Peter Max's instagram

A Connecticut man, Nicholas P. Hatch, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for selling 145 fraudulent paintings by Pop artist Peter Max. The sentencing followed Hatch's arrest in May 2023 and his subsequent guilty plea to mail fraud in US District Court in Connecticut.

Hatch was also ordered to restitute the $248,600 he earned from selling fake paintings to 43 buyers. His fraudulent scheme involved advertising prints purportedly made by Max through his company, Hatch Estate Services. Employees at the company added brushstrokes and fake signatures to reproductions to create the appearance of authenticity. 

▲ Peter Max / Courtesy of Peter Max's instagram

The investigation into Hatch's activities was initiated by the FBI's New Haven unit in December 2021, prompted by a tip from one of Hatch's employees regarding suspected mail fraud. Hatch utilized multiple aliases and shell companies, including Hatch Estate Services, Lions Gate Auctions, and Indian Head Auctions, to carry out his scheme.

The fraudulent Max paintings were sold for prices ranging from $1,325 to $2,833, with some accompanied by forged certificates of authenticity. Genuine prints and paintings by Max typically command much higher prices, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 at auction.

▲ Peter Max / Courtesy of Peter Max's instagramHatch's sentencing comes amidst a separate legal dispute involving Peter Max and lawsuits filed by his daughter over the rights to his legacy. Peter Max, aged 86 and suffering from dementia, has been embroiled in these legal battles.

Nicholas P. Hatch is scheduled to begin his 14-month prison sentence on June 17, with three years of supervised release.

Sayart

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com