French expert on trial for selling forged furniture

A French art expert is on trial for selling fake 18th-century furniture as real antiques. Bill Pallot, 61, is accused of producing these items and selling them to high-profile buyers, including the Palace of Versailles. He is facing charges alongside five other people and a prestigious gallery. Pallot and woodcarver Bruno Desnoues allegedly sold chairs that were claimed to have belonged to famous figures like Louis XV's mistress, Madame du Barry, and Queen Marie-Antoinette. The scam is estimated to have caused damages of around 4.5 million euros. It began to unravel after a scandal in 2016, prompting an audit of Versailles's purchasing practices. Pallot has been described as a leading expert in 18th-century French art and received high praise from magazines. However, a report also compared him to a notorious fraudster in the art world. The trial's first day highlighted a Portuguese couple whose extravagant lifestyle raised suspicions and led to the investigation. Despite claiming a low income, they had assets worth 1.2 million euros. During the investigation, authorities found over 200,000 euros in cash in Desnoues's home. Desnoues claimed he was focused on his work and not on making money. The trial continues as more details about the forgery scheme emerge.