The sentencing hearing for a man convicted in a sweeping art fraud scheme involving forged works attributed to the late Anishinaabe painter Norval Morrisseau was abruptly disrupted this week after allegations surfaced that members of the artist’s estate may have been complicit in the forgery operation, according to CTV News.

Jeff Cowan, who was found guilty in November on four counts of fraud related to the sale of fake Morrisseau paintings, appeared in court in Barrie, Ontario, for what was expected to be the continuation of his sentencing hearing. Instead, proceedings became contentious after a lawyer representing the Morrisseau estate unexpectedly intervened.