Attorneys for two brothers from Michigan facing federal charges over massive art and sports memorabilia fraud are discussing plea deals with federal prosecutors. According to a joint status report filed this week in U.S. District Court, plea negotiations are ongoing between the government and Mark Henkel while a draft plea agreement has been sent to Donald Henkel for … [Read more...] about “Master Forger” and Brother in Plea Talks with Feds on Long Running Fake Memorabilia Scheme
fraud
ALERT: Credit Card Scammer Strikes New Jersey Hobby Shop
A New Jersey sports card shop owner is cautioning other retailers to be aware of a credit card scam that cost him nearly $2,600 last week. It is a scam that has allegedly occurred in several states. And while it takes some moxie to pull it off, when successful it can leave a card shop owner without high-end cards and the money that was used to pay for them. Rob Katz … [Read more...] about ALERT: Credit Card Scammer Strikes New Jersey Hobby Shop
Michigan Man Sentenced To 30 Months In Card Fraud Scheme
A Michigan man was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Tuesday for repackaging and selling sports cards in resealed wax packs for $43,354.94 to a couple after he told them they were original and unopened. Bryan Alan Kennert, 57, of Muskegon, was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud in March 2022 and pleaded guilty to the charges in May, according to court records from … [Read more...] about Michigan Man Sentenced To 30 Months In Card Fraud Scheme
New Jersey Man Facing Federal Fraud Charges Over “Brady” Super Bowl Rings
Federal prosecutors have filed fraud charges against a New Jersey man who they say posed as a former player for the New England Patriots, bought family versions of the team's 2016 Super Bowl ring he claimed had ties to Tom Brady--and sold one of them for more than $337,000. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Southern California says Scott V. Spina Jr., 24, of Roseland, New … [Read more...] about New Jersey Man Facing Federal Fraud Charges Over “Brady” Super Bowl Rings
Editor’s Blog: More Altered Cards Outed But No Legal Action Yet
No legal action been filed yet in connection with the ongoing revelations of altered trading cards uncovered by members of the Blowout Cards forum since last spring, but the work to identify them continues. More cards alleged to have been purchased, altered and re-graded for profit are being revealed on almost a daily basis. Members have recently highlighted … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: More Altered Cards Outed But No Legal Action Yet
Editor’s Blog: Doctored Cards Keep Coming
Since we wrote of the card doctoring scandal a couple of weeks ago, dozens more altered cards have been uncovered by members of the Blowout Cards message board. From key modern era rookie cards to T206s, it’s clear that far more than just a few have entered the market through the destructive skills of some folks looking to rake a profit through fraud perpetrated on … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Doctored Cards Keep Coming
Nebraska Man Gets Prison Time for Vintage Card Fraud
A Nebraska man has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in federal prison and ordered to pay a six-figure restitution payment for selling reprints of vintage sports cards as if they were the real thing. Thomas Martin Beatty, 45, was sentenced for mail fraud and money laundering in Omaha Wednesday. Joe Kelly, U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska, says Beatty sold bought … [Read more...] about Nebraska Man Gets Prison Time for Vintage Card Fraud
FBI: Rogers’ Long, Expensive Fraud Trail Included Forging Player Autographs
There have been a lot of fraud cases involving sports memorabilia over the years. The best known is Operation Bullpen, which received national publicity after a massive forgery ring was uncovered in the late 1990s. Innumerable fake autographs were dumped on an unsuspecting public in a scheme that went on for several years. No case, however, has … [Read more...] about FBI: Rogers’ Long, Expensive Fraud Trail Included Forging Player Autographs
Man Who Ran Real Estate Ponzi Scheme Must Surrender Card Collection
A California man who pleaded guilty to a Ponzi scheme on Monday will have to forfeit a collection of baseball cards valued at more than $31,000 as part of a plea agreement. Seth Adam Depiano, 36, of Clovis, admitted to mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a real estate investment scam, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to … [Read more...] about Man Who Ran Real Estate Ponzi Scheme Must Surrender Card Collection
“He Literally Traded His Freedom for $3 Million Worth of Baseball Cards”
A former electric company supervisor has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison and ordered to pay back nearly $3 million he embezzled from the co-op to build an extensive collection of baseball and football cards. John Pearson "Jack" Willis III, 57, of Arab, AL, pleaded guilty in September to one count of embezzling from an organization that receives federal funds. … [Read more...] about “He Literally Traded His Freedom for $3 Million Worth of Baseball Cards”