Authorities have arrested a Long Island man for allegedly stealing nearly $500,000 in prize money belonging to famed jazz musician Cecil Taylor.
Brooklyn prosecutors say Noel Muir, of Uniondale, was charged with second-degree grand larceny.
Prosecutors say Muir is a general contractor who befriended the noted pianist while repairing a brownstone next to Taylor's Fort Greene residence.
In 2013, the 85-year-old Taylor was named a recipient of the Inamori Foundation's Kyoto Prize. Muir allegedly accompanied Taylor to Japan to accept the award and had the money sent to his bank account instead of Taylor's.
The award is given annually for achievement in science, technology, and arts and philosophy.
The name of Muir's attorney was not immediately known.
