LOS ANGELES 

A Michigan man and former Beverly Hills resident was indicted Tuesday for allegedly conspiring to sell a stolen Andy Warhol trial proof print and lying to the FBI about his role in the scheme, according to federal officials.

Glenn Steven Bednarsh, 58, is charged with conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen goods.

According to the indictment, Bednarsh purchased the stolen Warhol print, featuring Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, for $6,000 in February 2021. The piece was valued at approximately $175,000. Bednarsh then recruited Brian Alec Light, 58, of Hudson, Ohio, to help sell the artwork through a Dallas-based auction house.

Bednarsh delivered the print to the auction house’s Beverly Hills office, which shipped it to Dallas. Light signed a consignment agreement and requested a cash advance. However, when the auction house consulted with a West Hollywood gallery, the staff there identified the Warhol as stolen and alerted the FBI.

Both men later lied to federal agents. Light falsely claimed he bought the artwork at a Culver City garage sale and presented a fake receipt. Bednarsh claimed he was merely storing the piece as a favor to Light, denying any financial motive.

Light pleaded guilty in November 2024 to transporting stolen goods across state lines. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27 and faces up to 10 years in prison.

The FBI’s Art Crime Team is handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik Silber and Matthew O’Brien are prosecuting the case.