A Minnesota-based sports memorabilia dealer arrested at the National Sports Collectors Convention last summer has pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud charges. Steve Jensen, 40, owner of Vintage Authentics, agreed to the deal with government prosecutors Thursday. A sentencing hearing has been set for May 29 and Jensen has agreed to cooperate with authorities in any ongoing … [Read more...] about Vintage Authentics Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Jerseys
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REA Believes All 2001 Barry Bonds “Home Run Jerseys” Fake
On his way to the home run crown, Barry Bonds left a lot of scorched earth. He may have also left a trail of phony signed "game used" jerseys from his biggest season...but someone else may have been behind what some believe is a massive string of fraud. Robert Edward Auctions has been studying circumstances and evidence surrounding the jerseys, which supposedly carry Bonds' … [Read more...] about REA Believes All 2001 Barry Bonds “Home Run Jerseys” Fake
More Fake Autographs and COAs Have Oregon Detectives Busy
Less than a week after a Florida man was arrested on charges of selling nearly three dozen fake Babe Ruth signed baseballs to Florida pawn and second hand shops, Clackamas County, Oregon Sheriff's Office detectives executed a search warrant at the Gresham home of a 39-year-old man who is under investigation for selling counterfeit autographs. Chad Baldwin, 39, allegedly … [Read more...] about More Fake Autographs and COAs Have Oregon Detectives Busy
Another Pawn Shop Falls Victim to Fake Ruth Baseball Con
They look real, even to some who have seen authentic Babe Ruth autographed baseballs before. They even have a certificate of authenticity attached, bearing the name of a reputable company. But they're both elaborate fakes. A sea of "Ruth signed baseballs" have been flooding Florida pawn shops since last year with the owners being taken for a ride each time. Not quite four … [Read more...] about Another Pawn Shop Falls Victim to Fake Ruth Baseball Con
Ornstein Claims No Fake Jerseys Made it Into Collectors’ Hands
NFL insider and marketing agent Mike Ornstein has told a federal judge that the dozens of jerseys he obtained and fraudulently sold as game-worn several years ago were never distributed to collectors in any form. The Sports Business Journal reported Monday that Ornstein has been cooperating with federal investigators looking into the sale of the jerseys and numerous Super … [Read more...] about Ornstein Claims No Fake Jerseys Made it Into Collectors’ Hands
Ornstein Gets 8 Months for Selling Super Bowl Tix, Fake Jerseys
The former marketing agent for Reggie Bush has been sentenced to eight months in prison for selling scalped Super Bowl tickets and selling or consigning NFL jerseys he falsely claimed were worn in games. Mike Ornstein, 57, slumped as the judge in a Cleveland courtroom handed down the sentence. As Sports Collectors Daily reported last month, Ornstein was found guilty in … [Read more...] about Ornstein Gets 8 Months for Selling Super Bowl Tix, Fake Jerseys
Mantle Family Claims Most of Mick’s Autographs Fake
Mickey Mantle memorabilia and cards are still the gold standard for post-War era collectors...but that also means those items are an inviting target for crooks. … [Read more...] about Mantle Family Claims Most of Mick’s Autographs Fake