California Artist in need of advice

What is the name of your state? California


I am a painter and have a copyright on this specific painting. My friend knows more about the business of getting my works sold and shown so I made a contract with him about this specific painting that gives him the copyrights needed to be able to sale and or show my work for me on my behalf. My painting is valued at $40,000. My friend and I discussed this incident before it actually took place. We agreed to sell it to this guy for a discounted price of $25,000 because this guy he met that was interested in my painting promised to get it shown in a major gallery that he was connected with. He convinced my friend that he had the authority to purchase works for this gallery and that he was actually working for them. We wrote out a contract that stated the terms of the agreement. That we would sell him the painting at the discounted price in return for my work to be shown in this gallery. We wanted this transaction to be done in a public place so my friend was supposed to meet at this local coffee house we frequently attend and we also stated this in the contract. At the last minute my friend got a call from this guy and the guy said he could not make it to the coffee house but asked if my friend could come over to his house. My friend didn’t see anything wrong with this and went to this guys house and completed the transaction. My friend came directly to my house to give me the check and I noticed it was a check written from an out of the country bank (Bank of Caymen) I did not feel good about this so I went directly to the bank and deposited it into my account. The check bounced and now I’m at a loss of what to do. What are my rights? We cannot find this guy and when we went to the gallery they did not know who he was. Are there legal resources out there that can direct me into what my next step should be? Please help…

[You Are Guilty]

Do you practice yoga? If not, I suggest you take it up as it will help you become limber enough to kiss your own ass because you just lost your painting to a scam artist.

About the only thing you can do at this point is report it to the police (FBI?) and keep an eye out to see if this clown shows his face anywhere, although it's doubtful he will.

And in the future, cash check first, THEN turn over painting.