Police see more complaints about accused local artist

At least two more people have filed complaints against Newport Beach artist Michael Schofield, Newport Beach police said Wednesday.

Schofield, 60, was accused of using a Pablo Picasso drawing that does not belong to him as collateral, police said. But authorities have not decided yet whether to charge him.

Two men, a custom home builder from Newport Beach and a man in Irvine, filed complaints Wednesday, detective Mike McDermott said.

One of the men alleges Schofield owes him at least $30,000.

Efforts to reach Schofield since last week have been unsuccessful.

McDermott’s investigation began Monday after local real estate broker Jeff Stokes filed a police report last week. Stokes claims he lent Schofield $40,000 so he could buy art from private parties and then sell it to auction houses.

— Joseph Serna