Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Crime Update

Adam Hershkowitz was finally caught and put in jail for his elaborate fraud scam, litigated by the DA's office. I've been wondering how to write about it here on the blog, how much detail to go into, etc and this post has gone through many drafts as a result of my hesitations. After a lot of thought I've decided to keep this brief, as a matter of safety for all people involved in the case. This whole experience has been so surreal; like a strange, slightly less dramatic episode of Law & Order, I never would have imagined I would be wrapped up in a situation like this with my jewelry!

The short story goes like this: Adam was finally arrested on April 2nd, thanks to two amazingly brave women. The women work for a company in nyc that had been scammed by Adam as well. When he would not return their goods, they googled his name and found my original blog post about the scam, and immediately took it upon themselves to go to his apartment and demand their stuff back. And because they had seen the photo of my necklace on my blog, they were able to retrieve it that same day along with their own goods! (hooray for blogging making a difference eh?!)

I'm grateful to these women for their bravery, and grateful to the DA's office for jumping on the case and prosecuting this scumbag so quickly. I am thankful the ordeal is over with, that he's getting what he deserves, and frankly am amazed that the necklace is coming back to me. It's not in my possession just yet however - the lawyers have to hang on to it a bit longer as evidence, but it feels good to know that it's safe and will be returned to me soon.

Thankfully now I can focus on my life and my work again, learn from the experience and move forward.

Thanks for reading!

*NOTE*Adam was released on bail last week and is now apparently reading my blog. He left some nasty comments which I've reported and removed from this posting.

33 comments:

Margot Potter said...

What a mondo bizarro situation! So glad it worked out. While I'm here I just wanted to say that I love your work.

Warmest regards,
Margot

Lynette said...

That is sooooo crazy!

Uyek said...

Incredible turn of events!
I was so glad to read about your necklace's being recovered.

Jessy said...

I've been eagerly awaiting this story for some time. I'm very, very glad that you will be able to get your necklace back in your possession, and I definitely would take those two ladies out for dinner sometime!

Amber Leilani said...

i am very happy to see justice done.
congrats on getting your necklace back and hoorah to the two very brave women who not only got their own work back, but helped you out as well. that is a truly selfless act.
congrats again!

Wicked Halo said...

Glad things finally got sorted out, those ladies were quite brave, and hooray for you thankfully getting your stuff back!!!

flyingbeader said...

I am SO happy you'll be getting your necklace back & this SCUMBAG is going to go to jail. There IS justice.

dot

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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annie said...

hahahahah! i am dying right now, margaux.
i'm so happy your beautiful work was recovered.

this is now over the top hilarious and awesome.

hello "anonymous".

Liz said...

wow.
Obviously a very mature man.

Congrats, im so happy your getting your piece back :) Thanks for speaking up and warning other artists out here!

megan said...

margaux - so glad everything worked out!

anonymous - hm, very subtle...

Unknown said...

Yay for justice! I'm so glad you're getting the necklace back.

Tamara Embrey said...

Good for you Margaux. Too bad there are people like this in the world whose only talent seems to be screwing over other people. It's nice to see a little justice, though.

D Balogh said...

Sigh, hey "anon", do I really need to hear you trash-talk Margaux for your behavior?? You sure don't have an ounce of respect or class do you?

Big thanks to the women who went after him, truly amazing.

Anonymous said...

Margaux, you should contact Google to see if they can get the IP address of your new stalker.

Then you should call the police officer you worked with and/or the DAs office to create a paper trail of the stalking.

Also, if you use Foxfire you can get a screen capture plug in and keep the screen captures of what your new stalker types.

Don't take this lightly. It's important to keep a chronology of any retaliatory actions you experience, no matter how minor they seem.

I'm glad you got your piece back.

josh said...

Can u post a mugshot? I gotta see this guy!

Warriormetalsmith said...

Marguax - DEFINATELY make a screen capture of these comments and get them to the District Attorney's office asap. You may need to let them get a restraining order in place for you against A.H. They are very easy to get if you have cause - and with his comments on this blog you do have cause. That way, you can have him arrested anytime if he violates your personal space physically or cyber.

I am glad you got resolution to this issue and got your artwork back. What a total whack job Adam is.

Andrea

montserrat lacomba said...

I'm happy for getting your necklace back!

Miss Dot said...

oh I would love to have been a fly on the wall when they went a knocking! good on them. Glad to hear it ends well.

arthur hash said...

Dude what the hell? What a jerk. I can't believe this guy. I am happy everything is working out and you are getting your work back. If you need a break from all of it all you are welcome to come visit Liz and I in the country.

Elaine Prunty said...

There is probably just ONE good thing you could say about that guy , he does have very decerning tastes when it comes to necklaces!)

your telling of this story will only bring you good karma, so thanks for that .

Elaine Prunty said...

oops i meant "discerning"

Grace Arrowsmith said...

Wow - I had a tear in my eye when I read that he was caught - and I am not soppy by nature and then I went on the read about his comments. What makes people so crazy?

Anonymous said...

Hope he's already a bottom!

Red Prairie Press said...

oh wow. SO THRILLING to hear this worked out for you. It seems so rare that the good guy wins, and I'm reassured that the world isn't completely hopeless just yet.

Keep up the good work. Hope to run into you at the BUST show next weekend, we'll be there too :)

Jeremiah said...

i was contacted by an adam hershkowitz this morning, claiming to be an interior designer looking to purchase 'truckloads of furniture' from my mid century design business. it all seemed a little fishy, so i decided to google him and happened upon your blog. i don't know if it's the same adam (email address: hybrid.id.studios@gmail.com ) but if it is it will certainly be interesting to see what kinds of games he's now trying to play...

Jeremiah
PasternakAntiques.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

He is on CL again.

Trying to unload the stuff.

FYI

Julie Frith said...

UPDATE: A friend of a friend has gotten my mobile away from the thief (AH) in NY and will be shipping it back to me soon. So the SAGA of the stolen mobile is coming to an end!

http://frithmobiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/stolen-art-mobile.html

Reader said...

The same character has sold stuff on Ebay and sells mid-century modern wares that he doesn't deliver. He buys mid-century stuff as well and initiates chargebacks after they are delivered. Thanks for telling your tale Margaux! This guy has apparently scammed A LOT of people.

Erkki Kokko said...

What a story!
Thanks for sharing!
-Eddie-

Lorrene Davis said...

Great ending to an awful situation. I would like to post your original blog to my facebook friends. We are mostly jewelers. Please let me know if it is okay.

Thanks, Lorrene
www.lorrenedavisdesigns (dot) com
ljd@ the above address.

Harriete Estel Berman said...

Congratulations on the recovery.
Those two women have guts...Good for them!!!!!!!!!!!
Harriete