SoCal TV show host pleads guilty in $20M bogus art scam

A satellite TV show host pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges stemming from an investigation into bogus artwork sold through televised auctions that defrauded customers of more than $20 million.

Kristine Eubanks, 49, of La Canada Flintridge pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and tax evasion. She will face up to 10 years in prison when she is sentenced Sept. 24, prosecutors said.

Eubanks' husband, Gerald Sullivan, 51, pleaded guilty April 2 to one count each of conspiracy and failing to file tax returns. He will face up to six years in prison when he, too, is sentenced in September.

Eubanks' attorney Donald Randolph said outside court that his client "acknowledged her guilt in these actions today."

Authorities said the couple, in their plea agreements, acknowledged duping more than 10,000 customers through their "Fine Art Treasures Gallery" show, which aired Friday and Saturday nights on DirecTV and The Dish Network.

The couple also said they rigged auctions by creating false and inflated bids for art and jewelry sold during the live auctions, prosecutors said.

Authorities believe buyers lost more than $20 million in the scam. Nearly $4 million and various pieces of artwork were seized when Eubanks and Sullivan were arrested during a raid last year.