Details emerge about the accused and buyer of the Churchill portrait theft

In the sensational theft of a 1941 portrait of British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill painted by famed Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh, new details are emerging about both the accused and the unsuspecting buyer.

The scowling black-and-white portrait, known as the “Roaring Lion,” was first reported stolen from the lobby of Ottawa's Fairmont Château Laurier hotel in August 2022. Ottawa police later concluded that the theft had occurred sometime between Christmas and early January of that year.

Jeffrey Wood, 43, is accused of stealing the original portrait and replacing it with a fake with Karsh's forged signature.

According to court documents obtained by CBC, Wood faces six charges, including possession of property obtained by crime and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking. None of the charges against him have been tested in court.

When police announced the charges on Wednesday, they claimed a publication ban prevented them from releasing Woods' name, but that was not the case. Court records list his address as unknown.

Wood is expected to appear in an Ottawa courtroom later this month, where he will be represented by well-known criminal defense lawyer Lawrence Greenspon.

Earlier this week, CBC learned that the original portrait had been discovered in Italy. Investigators allege Wood smuggled the artwork on May 19, 2022. He was arrested by Ottawa police in April.

After a brief stay at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, Wood was released on bail after undergoing 24 hours of GPS monitoring. He posted $5,000 bail and three sureties also posted $5,000 to secure his release.

Wood was ordered to live with two of the guarantors – both retired Ontario Provincial Police officers, according to court documents – in their home on the outskirts of the small Ontario community of Powassan, south of North Bay.

The third sponsor, a woman from Ottawa, declined to comment by phone Thursday.

Other conditions of Woods' release include that he must remain in Ontario and not apply for a passport or other travel documents or permits.

Wood is prohibited from entering the Château Laurier or having any contact with hotel staff. He is not allowed to possess any weapons and is not allowed to move more than 50 metres from his guarantors' residence without being accompanied by his guarantors.

Even with his bonds, he cannot travel more than 50 kilometers away except for medical purposes, to appear in court or to meet with his lawyers.

The first known photo of the fake Karsh portrait is seen on the wall of Château Laurier on January 6, 2022, taken by CBC Washington correspondent Paul Hunter. The fake was slightly smaller, had a different frame and, upon closer inspection, a fake Karsh signature. (Paul Hunter/CBC)

Buyer does not know the origin of the portrait

Meanwhile, in Genoa, Italy, Nicola Cassinelli said he was not aware that a famous work of art was hanging in his living room.

Cassinelli, 34, a lawyer who describes himself as a passionate but modest art collector, was browsing through a Sotheby's online catalog in May 2022 when he came across a supposedly signed copy of Karsh's “Roaring Lion.”

“I decided to bid and I was so lucky that I bought this piece of art,” he told CBC. “Of course, I thought I was just buying one of the many copies of the Roaring Lion that you can find online and in several auctions.”

Cassinelli said he paid less than $10,000 plus commission for the portrait, which soon hung on his wall.

“It fit very well in a corner of my living room where a small piece of art needed to be placed,” said Casselini.

Five months later, Cassinelli received a call from the auction house asking if they could put him in touch with Canadian authorities. Confused, Cassinelli searched the Internet for information and soon learned of the theft in Ottawa.

“I realized that there was not just a work of art hanging in my living room, but a piece of history, and that touched me deeply,” he said.

Cassinelli said both Sotheby's and Canadian police had asked him not to sell or otherwise dispose of the portrait, but as months passed without further instructions, he came to the conclusion that he might have a copy after all.

In January, Ottawa police contacted him again and confirmed that he owned the original, which some art experts estimate to be worth six figures.

The forgery was confirmed by forensic chemicals that discolored the document. It is now stored at a Royal Canadian Mounted Police warehouse in a suburb of Ottawa. (Paul Hunter/CBC)

“I had a kind of Mona Lisa”

Despite the incredible deal, Cassinelli said it would have been “a crime” to keep the Roaring Lion from its rightful owners, Château Laurier and the Karsh estate. Next week, he will officially hand over the property to Canadian authorities in Rome.

He said it wouldn't have made any difference to him if he had known the true value.

“I realized that I had a kind of Mona Lisa in my living room for almost two years, and even though no one knew it, the people, friends and family who visit me at home enjoy this piece of history,” he said.

Nicola Cassinelli said he owned the portrait for about five months before the auction house contacted him again. (Google Meet)

Cassinelli said the day he agreed to return the portrait, he bought a poster of the same famous image online for about $50. It now hangs where the roaring lion once hung.

“I can also confess that no one notices that it is not the original,” he said.

Cassinelli said he plans to visit Ottawa soon and will stay at the Château Laurier.

“The first thing I want to see in October is my portrait, because I still want to say it's my portrait because I bought it,” he said.

“Let's say I gave it to the hotel, but part of this portrait still belongs to me, at least in my heart, in my memories.”