This is not a fair comparison

曾's work tells a different story.  This doesn't mean he could STEAL other people's credit.  Probably, "the last supper" is so famous, nobody would doubt that he could and would steal Da Vinvi's credit.  

Similarly, many films and plays re-intepret Shakespear and Homer's old stories, such as "west side story", "Oh, brother where are thou".  These never meant that stealing is OK, especially when money is involved.

Making stories to cover up plagiarism is not acceptable.