A 38-year-old South Carolina man has pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking in counterfeit goods including some autographed memorabilia that wasn’t real. Evidence presented at a change of plea hearing established that Joshua D. Korb ran an online eBay store called Steel-Town Memorabilia. The investigation was initiated from a request by the NFL … [Read more...]
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Confiscated Equipment from Phony Autograph Case to be Donated
When investigators shut down a phony sports memorabilia ring in Ohio, they discovered thousands of items that were being used to hold those fake autographs. Stacked on pallets were jerseys, helmets and enough baseballs, footballs and basketballs to equip more than a few athletic teams. It seemed like a shame to throw it all away but the items that had fake autographs … [Read more...]
Maryland Man Gets 5-Year Sentence for Selling Fake Autographs
A Maryland man who sold fake autographs signed on fake jerseys will have plenty of time to think about it. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Friday that Joshua Aaron Shores, age 44,has been sentenced to five years in prison for the $2.5 million dollar fraud scheme. According to United States Attorney Bruce D. … [Read more...]
Case Closed: Final Member of Fake Autograph Ring Sentenced
The prosecution of a long-running fake autograph scheme based in Ohio came to a close Friday when the last person charged in the case was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to theft, money laundering and fraud charges. According to WYTV in Youngstown, Craig McCormick will spend three years behind bars and five years on probation for his role in the scam, which … [Read more...]
ESPN 30 for 30 Film Focuses on Operation Bullpen Forger
The 1990s FBI investigation known as Operation Bullpen is becoming an ESPN 30 for 30 film. A trailer has been released promoting the 22-minute film, which includes interviews with Greg Marino, the master forger who produced thousands of phony autographs that were at the heart of the case, and the two FBI agents who worked to bring down the operation. While most people … [Read more...]
Man Accused in Phony Autograph Ring Changes Plea…Again
One of several men facing charges in connection with a phony sports autograph ring based in Ohio has pleaded guilty for the second time. WYTV in Youngstown reports that Jason Moore, who recently withdrew a guilty plea he agreed to more than a year ago, has changed his mind again. Moore was in court Monday and is expected to be sentenced early next … [Read more...]
Woman in Phony Autograph Case Arrested Again
A woman who pleaded guilty to her role in an online autograph fraud scheme was arrested again after prosecutors say she lied to local and FBI investigators. WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, OH reported 62-year-old Rose Mary Panezich was booked into the Mahoning County Jail Friday for what was considered a probation violation. Panezich was one of several people who have either … [Read more...]
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...]
Man Charged in Massive Fake Autograph Scheme Rejects Plea Deal
The Ohio man charged with setting up a massive autograph forgery ring online has rejected a plea deal. According to news reports in Youngstown, Cliff Panezich and his attorney didn’t accept the Mahoning County district attorney’s offer to accept a prison sentence of no more than seven years. Panezich believes he shouldn’t face more than three years but if the case goes … [Read more...]
Notes: House Arrest for Woman in Fake Auto Case; MLB Network Talks Cards
The mother of an Ohio man who prosecutors say organized a massive online autograph fraud ring has been sentenced to one year of house arrest. Rose Panezich, currently a Las Vegas resident, pleaded guilty to a count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity on Tuesday. She’s one of several people who have admitted to their roles in the sale of phony autographed sports … [Read more...]
