By Associated Press - Thursday, May 10, 2018

BOSTON (AP) - Authorities say a Massachusetts man took two Andy Warhol paintings from his college friend and then sold fake versions on eBay.

Federal prosecutors say 43-year-old Brian Walshe, of Lynn, told his friend that he would sell the Warhols for him for a good price then took the paintings and stopped responding to him.

Prosecutors say Walshe listed the paintings on eBay and a buyer in California agreed to pay $80,000 for the pair, but ended up getting fakes. When the buyer tried to get a refund, prosecutors say Walshe made excuses for delaying and only returned some of the money.

Walshe is charged with wire fraud and is being held pending a hearing Friday. His attorney didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment Thursday.

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