Orlando Museum of Art parts ways with CEO following raid of Basquiat exhibit

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Director and CEO of the Orlando Museum of Art is out, effective immediately.

The move comes less than a week after the FBI took possession of more than two-dozen paintings from the museum, after questions were raised about their authenticity.

READ: Orlando Museum of Art director defends authenticity of Basquiat paintings

The museum is not under investigation and is said to have cooperated with the FBI’s request to turn over the “Heroes and Monsters” exhibit.

According to a search warrant released by the FBI, they’re investigating allegations of possible wire fraud and conspiracy with regard to the art.

The warrant says the artworks’ owners paid experts to say the paintings were authentic.

However, FBI agents say they have reason to believe the artwork that was on display at the Orlando Museum of Art was fake.

Video: ‘Quite disappointed’: Visitors react after FBI takes possession of art exhibit from Orlando museum (Angela Jacobs, WFTV.com)

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When questioned about the artwork in February, then Director and CEO Aaron De Groft stood by their processes.

“We don’t authenticate art,” De Groft said. “They were authenticated before we were involved by major specialists that put their entire reputation on the line.”

The 25 paintings, billed as Basquiat originals, have an estimated value of approximately $100 million, if real.

The FBI is questioning whether a FED-EX logo on the back of one of the works was in use before the artist died in 1988.

The affidavit says De Groft told an art expert who was hired to authenticate the paintings to “be quiet” and stay in her “limited lane.”

“We have launched an official process to address these matters, as they are inconsistent with the values of this institution, our business standards, and our standards of conduct,” Orlando Museum of Art Board of Trustees Chair Cynthia Brumback said in a statement.

The FBI’s Los Angeles division, which is leading the investigation, has declined to comment, citing the active nature of the investigation.

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Longtime Orlando Museum of Art employee and CFO Joann Walfish has been appointed to the role of interim COO and will take over leadership of the museum.

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