Russian Marat Guelman has been fired from his post as the director of the Perm Museum of Contemporary Art, and is currently under investigation for his financial practices.  The firing comes days after Guelman’s exhibition Welcome! Sochi 2014 (a protest against the upcoming winter olympics as a Kremlin publicity project) was raided by authorities.  “All of this looks like they received an order from Moscow. To find something at any cost,” he said. “And this is even though I’m not in any way part of the opposition, but simply a person who openly speaks what I think.” (more…)

New York Police raided the gallery of New York art dealer Helly Nahmad, son of billionaire art dealer David Nahmad, at 975 Madison Avenue, in connection with a major government crackdown on illicit online gambling and money laundering.  The raid is connected an alleged gambling ring, which reportedly hosted high-stakes poker events for major celebrities and athletes, itself, reportedly, an offshoot of a broader money-laundering operation.  Prosecutors are expected to comment on the investigation today. (more…)