Wine Dealer Convicted of Selling Counterfeit Bottles

A California wine dealer described by prosecutors as the operator of a “fake wine factory” was found guilty of scheming to sell counterfeits of rare vintages purportedly worth more than $1.3 million to collectors including billionaire William Koch.

Rudy Kurniawan, the 37-year-old merchant, was convicted by a jury today in Manhattan federal court of mail and wire fraud. A prominent dealer of what was thought to be rare and expensive wine, Kurniawan was accused by the government of defrauding collectors, auction houses and others from 2004 to 2012.