Judge orders disgraced art dealer to continue paying back the $1.65 million she owes victims

A disgraced art dealer who defrauded art foundations must continue to pay down the $1.65 million she owes victims, a judge ruled Friday.






Leigh Morse claimed she has been broke in the years since she was first ordered to return the dough in connection with her role in the $120 million fraud of her former boss, art dealer Lawrence Salander. She was convicted in 2011 at a high-profile trial in which Robert De Niro testified.

Prosecutor Kenn Kern argued Morse should have to sell her homes in Manhattan and Pennsylvania. She has repaid only about $90,000.

Morse served four months of weekends in jail over the ordeal. She was cleared of ripping off De Niro, who managed his late father’s estate and artwork, but was guilty of scamming others.