Doug Chrismas, a prominent dealer in the Los Angeles art scene since the 1970s and 1980s, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. According to reports, Christmas was convicted last May of three counts of embezzling bankrupt gallery property and will be jailed on February 17. New York Times. Federal prosecutors argued for harsher sentences, citing financial misconduct that resulted in millions of dollars in losses.
Christmas, now 80, played a key role in shaping contemporary art in Los Angeles, showing work by artists such as Robert Irwin and Donald Judd. However, his legacy has been tarnished by decades of financial disputes and a barrage of lawsuits from artists and creditors. A 1979 diary entry by Andy Warhol set the stage for later controversy by mentioning non-payment for artworks sold.
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The sentencing process was delayed as Christmas’ defense attorneys sought probation, citing his advanced age. However, prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of his actions. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kwan described the $264,000 in misappropriated funds as “the tip of the iceberg” and estimated that the total misappropriated funds exceeded $14 million. Kwan said the misconduct caused “enormous intangible damage” to the integrity of the bankruptcy system and resulted in lengthy litigation for creditors.
Sam Leslie, the bankruptcy trustee who issued the 2022 civil judgment for Christmas, echoed those concerns, noting that the transferred funds would have settled all outstanding claims. Instead, many creditors will remain unpaid. Artists including Mary Corse have recounted years of financial disputes with Chrismas, with Corse claiming he owed her about $3 million and that he kept several of her artworks despite partial recovery in bankruptcy proceedings of several works of art.
Christmas continues to retain a loyal following of supporters, especially older collectors in Los Angeles. Letters submitted to the court highlighted his transformative impact on the art world and his commitment to reinvesting in exhibitions and spaces. Prominent Los Angeles art patron Jarl Mohn praised Christmas’s guidance for increasing the value of purchased art, while others described his approach to life as humble and selfless.
