Christmas is less than a week away but a federal judge may hand former sports memorabilia and photograph dealer John Rogers a big lump of coal on Wednesday. U.S. Attorney John Lausch is asking Judge Thomas Durkin to put the North Little Rock, Arkansas man in prison for over 13 years—and hand him a bill for $23.6 million in restitution to banks and others he … [Read more...] about U.S. Attorneys Seek 13-Year Sentence for Rogers Plus Restitution
fraud
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...] about Man Charged in Massive Fake Autograph Scheme Rejects Plea Deal
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...] about Autograph Faker Pleads Guilty; Gov’t to Seek Restitution
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...] about Transcript Reveals Details of Allen’s Sentencing
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...] about US Attorneys: Allen’s Conduct “Reckless and Obstructive”
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...] about Ex-Postal Worker Pleads Guilty in $68,000 Sports Card Theft
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
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...] about Ohio Authorities: Guilty Pleas in Fake Autograph Case
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...] about Mastro Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison
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...] about Government Seeks 20 Month Prison Sentence for Mastro