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...]
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Autograph Faker Pleads Guilty; Gov’t to Seek Restitution
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania says a former owner of a group of internet sports memorabilia businesses pleaded guilty Monday before United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, in Harrisburg, PA to a $2.5 million dollar fraud scheme. The Criminal Information was filed in January pursuant to a plea agreement entered … [Read more...]
Transcript Reveals Details of Allen’s Sentencing
It will likely be the year 2020 when former Mastro Auctions executive Doug Allen walks out of whatever federal prison will be his home beginning on May 9. Allen, sentenced in U.S. District Court last week to 57 months, could have more than six months shaved off his sentence for good behavior, but it’ll still be a long stay. It's also one that could have been cut, perhaps in … [Read more...]
US Attorneys: Allen’s Conduct “Reckless and Obstructive”
Government prosecutors say a 57-month sentence for Doug Allen is appropriate—but they wouldn’t object to a federal judge handing down an even longer prison term for the former Mastro Auctions executive. Allen is scheduled to be sentenced by federal judge Ronald Guzman next Monday on fraud charges in connection with shill bidding and other illegal activities from 2002-2009 as … [Read more...]
Ex-Postal Worker Pleads Guilty in $68,000 Sports Card Theft
A Dorchester, MA woman has admitted to stealing $68,668 in sports cards from the U.S. Mail while working as a clerk at the U.S. Post Office. Venecia “Melissa” McLaren, 30, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to theft of mail by a postal service employee. Prosecutors say on Jan. 21, 2015, while working as a clerk at a post office in Roxbury, McLaren stole a Priority … [Read more...]
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...]
Ohio Authorities: Guilty Pleas in Fake Autograph Case
Four Ohio men have pleaded guilty in a major sports memorabilia fraud case and prosecutors say more people are expected to face consequences for their roles. The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s office told Youngstown area media Friday that the four were only part of a larger operation involving fake autographs and memorabilia that cheated 25,000 people out of more than $2 … [Read more...]
Mastro Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison
Once one of the hobby’s most powerful players, Bill Mastro will soon be an inmate. The former owner and CEO of Chicago-based Mastro Auctions was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to 20 months in prison. The sentence matched the recommendation of government attorneys prosecuting the case. Mastro, 62, has already paid a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to fraud, … [Read more...]
Government Seeks 20 Month Prison Sentence for Mastro
Government prosecutors are asking a judge to put the former president of Mastro Auctions in prison for 20 months. In a response to a sentencing memorandum by Bill Mastro’s attorneys filed last week, assistant U.S. attorneys Derek Owens and Steven Dollear say the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others in the sports memorabilia business. Mastro has pleaded guilty to … [Read more...]
Lawyers Ask Judge to Keep Mastro Out of Prison
Attorneys for Bill Mastro are asking a federal judge to keep the former auction house executive from going to jail when sentencing is announced August 20. Mastro pleaded guilty in October 2013 to shill bidding customers over an eight-year period ending in 2009 and not disclosing information about valuable collectibles his company handled, including the T206 Honus Wagner, … [Read more...]
