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Art World Star Faces Multiple Charges

Alberto Vilar, once hailed as one of the most generous donors in the art world, is free on bail after being charged with fraud. Vilar, a Cuban immigrant, has pledged some $250 million to support opera, ballet and orchestra projects. He is now charged with defrauding a friend out of $5 million. His bail terms require that Vilar sell his art collection.

Copyright 2005 NPR

Lynn Neary is an NPR arts correspondent covering books and publishing.