Convicted Art Swindler Put Up Fence Blocking SMC Beach: Report

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A fence blocking a popular path to a San Mateo County beach was erected by a convicted art swindler, not the actual property owner, according to a report by the SF Chronicle.

Luke Brugnara directed the installation of fencing now blocking a popular path to Thornton State Beach in Daly City, police said. Brugnara was convicted of an $11 million federal art fraud 11 years ago, according to the SF Chronicle.

Property owner Donna Pope wants the fence removed. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said Pope reported a trespasser on Monday. Pope told the Chronicle her family has owned the land for nearly a century.

"It's just bizarre," Pope told the SF Chronicle about the fence, which is on land she said her family has had for generations.

Brugnara told the Chronicle the fence was legal and compliant, as the land recently changed to private ownership. He maintained the public can access the beach from the north side.

At a Daly City Council meeting, a code enforcement officer issued a formal notice of violation to a property owner for an unpermitted fence, possibly encroaching on a public right-of-way and obstructing a decades-old public trail.

The officer requested permits and survey data for review with public works and the fire department.

The fence, which blocked the path this month and initially displayed a sign warning trespassers would be shot, caused local controversy.

Supervisor Canepa sent a letter to the California Coastal Commission, describing the fence as 8 feet tall, though the owner claims it is 6 feet.

"It was egregious if he was the owner, but now we have a squatter," Canepa told the SF Chronicle. "To have the audacity to squat and then, if you could imagine, build a fence is probably in my 19 years of politics the sickest thing I have ever seen."

County officials determined Monday that Brugnara had put up the fence weeks ago.

Wealthy investor Brugnara has a long criminal history, including prison time for filing false tax returns and poaching steelhead trout. He also ordered $11 million in artwork without paying and escaped custody for six days while awaiting his self-represented trial, according to the SF Chronicle.

Read the full story at the SF Chronicle.