Axelrod's sale of 30 violins, violas, and cellos to the NJSO has also prompted controversy. He sold the instruments to the orchestra for $18 million, but claimed that they were worth $50 million, a valuation accepted by NJSO officials. Later, experts determined that parts of the collection were inauthentic, and that its true value was between $15 million and $26 million.

As part of his plea agreement, Axelrod pledged not to take a tax deduction for the sale, and prosecutors said they would not seek criminal charges.