Authorities are seeking to seize bank accounts connected to a Massachusetts man accused of murdering his wife as part of an art fraud case, WCVB-TV reports.
Brian Walshe, 47, of Cohasset is under indictment for allegedly murdering his wife, Ana, and taking steps to mislead investigators.
Authorities allege that Brian beat Ana to death because he wanted to end their marriage. The 39-year-old mother of three worked as a corporate real estate manager and was reported missing January 4 by her employer, according to CNN.
But in a different case, federal prosecutors this week took steps to seize two bank accounts linked to Walshe and are seeking to take just under $9,000 from them: $4,766.54 from a JPMorgan Chase Bank account and $3,075.83 from a Rockland Trust Bank account, according to Boston 25 News.
The forfeiture action comes as part of a federal criminal case alleging that Walshe sold counterfeit Andy Warhol art before his wife’s death. Walshe pleaded guilty in 2021 to wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud, possession of converted goods, and unlawful monetary transaction; he has been awaiting sentencing since.
Authorities alleged that Walshe duped a friend from college, his dentist, and an art dealer in Beverly Hills who holds the most extensive collection of Warhol works in the world.
Walshe allegedly stole two real Warhol “Shadow Paintings” that a friend in South Korea owned, then posted them for sale on eBay and sent the buyer fakes.
A judge has previously granted prosecutors’ request to take $225,000 in cash from Walshe and to require him to forfeit the original Warhol paintings.
Walshe is also facing allegations that he stole money from his late father’s estate.
On the murder charge, prosecutors say Walshe searched the internet for the best ways to dismember a body, how to clean blood, and whether someone can charged without a body.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, investigators have found trash bags containing blood, a hacksaw, a hatchet and a rug at a garbage facility, but Ana’s body has not yet been recovered.
If convicted of murder, Walshe faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. His next court date is in August.
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[Feature Photo: Brian Walshe, of Cohasset, faces a Quincy Court judge charged with impeding the investigation into his wife Ana’ disappearance from their home Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)]
