Antiques and Art Dealer Charged with Money Laundering and Theft Offenses

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, today announced that DAVID L. JOHNSON, 66, of Greenwich, has been charged in a five-count indictment with offenses stemming from his embezzlement from a deceased individual’s estate.

As alleged in the indictment, Johnson operated an antiques business, Antique Treasures LLC, and an auction business, Greenwich Auction, both based in Stamford.  In approximately October 2018, an individual (“the victim”) executed a power of attorney, will, and trust naming Johnson as the victim’s agent, executor, and successor trustee, respectively.  Johnson was not a beneficiary of the victim’s estate or trust.  The victim died at the age of 87 in August 2020.  After the victim’s 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 victim’s estate. 

On December 17, 2025, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Johnson with one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of interstate transport of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions derived from specific unlawful activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

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

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.