NBC News has aired a lengthy investigative story on a collection of baseball memorabilia purchased as an investment now believed to be fake. A retired New Jersey firefighter, the late Charles Kerr bought items advertised as signed by Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Derek Jeter and other greats. Now his family believes he was swindled for over $100,000 by a dealer … [Read more...] about NBC News Story: Family Says Dealer Sold Them Large Amount of Bogus Autographs
autograph fraud
Dealer Ejected from NSCC Pleads Not Guilty
A Florida man indicted on several charges in connection with the sale of autographs at last year's National Sports Collectors Convention has pleaded not guilty, according to the Cuyahoga County District Attorney's Office. Tony Podsada, who owns Signed Certified Memories, recently appeared in front of a judge and was assigned a lawyer. Podsada was ejected from … [Read more...] about Dealer Ejected from NSCC Pleads Not Guilty
Panezich: Autograph Fraud Conviction Was “Coerced”
The man sentenced to six years in prison for orchestrating a massive sports autograph fraud ring is appealing his conviction. According to a local news report, an attorney for 31-year-old Cliff Panezich filed a brief Monday in the Ohio Seventh District Court of Appeals, claiming his guilty plea was coerced. Panezich, a former college and semi-pro baseball player … [Read more...] about Panezich: Autograph Fraud Conviction Was “Coerced”
Autograph Fraud Nets 6-Year Prison Sentence
A man prosecutors say organized a massive sports autograph forgery ring has been sentenced to six years in prison. Clifton Panezich, 31, was sentenced Tuesday in Mahoning County (OH) Court, according to local media reports. He had pleaded guilty last year to a series of charges related to the sale of phony autographs on eBay from 2010 to 2015. Panezich, a former … [Read more...] about Autograph Fraud Nets 6-Year Prison Sentence
Accused Autograph Fraudster Accepts Plea Deal as Courtroom Gets Tense
The man accused of leading a sports autograph fraud ring has given up his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to charges that could result in a sentence of three to seven years. Clifton Panezich, 30, appeared before a judge in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday. According to local media reports, he pleaded guilty to aggravated theft, identity fraud, … [Read more...] about Accused Autograph Fraudster Accepts Plea Deal as Courtroom Gets Tense
3 Now Under Indictment in Autograph Fraud Case
An Ohio grand jury has indicted three men in what has been described as the biggest case of domestic fraud in the history of eBay. Clifton Panezich, 30, who is from Austintown, OH but has been living in Las Vegas, is accused of being the ringleader of the group. He is now facing fraud and forgery charges, according to reports by Youngstown TV stations. Craig … [Read more...] about 3 Now Under Indictment in Autograph Fraud Case
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty in $2.5 Million Fake Autograph Scheme
Selling fake autographs online is easy...until you get caught. Federal prosecutors say the former owner of a group of internet sports memorabilia businesses based in the Mid-Atlantic states faces a federal prison sentence and restitution after selling huge quantities of fake autographed sports jerseys and other items over a five-year period. Joshua Aaron Shores, 41, … [Read more...] about Maryland Man Pleads Guilty in $2.5 Million Fake Autograph Scheme
Prosecutor: Autograph Scam Ran Five Years; MLB Interested
The five Ohio men who’ve already pleaded guilty for their role in a massive autograph forgery case used hundreds of fake eBay IDs from 2010 through 2014 according to the Mahoning County, OH assistant prosecutor. Marty Desmond told Sports Collectors Daily the scheme involved the sale of phony autographs to at least 25,000 victims during that time, mostly for amounts under … [Read more...] about Prosecutor: Autograph Scam Ran Five Years; MLB Interested
Selling Fake Autographs? Feds Watching
Those who believe they can quietly buy and sell non-genuine merchandise on eBay and get away with it might want to check in with an eastern Pennsylvania man who could be facing a long prison sentence. The U.S. Attorney's office has filed an indictment against Forrest R. Smith III of Reading. Smith is charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. The … [Read more...] about Selling Fake Autographs? Feds Watching