Greenwich Antiques And Art Dealer Accused Of Stealing Nearly $1 Million From Victim's Estate: Officials

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich antiques and art dealer was charged in a five-count indictment this week and accused of stealing nearly $1 million from a deceased individual's estate, according to an announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England.

David L. Johnson, 66, appeared Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and he was released on a $250,000 bond.

According to the indictment, officials said Johnson operated an antiques business, Antique Treasures LLC, and an auction business, Greenwich Auction, both based in Stamford.

In approximately October 2018, an individual - later referred to as a "victim" - executed a power of attorney, will, and trust naming Johnson as their agent, executor, and successor trustee, respectively, officials said, noting Johnson was not a beneficiary of the victim's estate or trust.

The victim died at the age of 87 in August 2020. After their death, Johnson stole more than $436,000 from one of the victim's federal tax refund checks, more than $217,000 from an investment account, and more than $308,000 from the proceeds of the sale of artworks, all of which belonged to the individual's estate, officials said.

On Dec. 17, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Johnson with one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison; one count of interstate transport of stolen property (maximum term of 10 years); and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions derived from specific unlawful activity (maximum of 10 years on each count).