An upstate New York man is accused of defrauding six trading card buyers or sellers in four states out of more than $33,000, prosecutors said. According to an affidavit filed on Oct. 11 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York and obtained by Sports Collectors Daily, Kyle Bertrand, 34, of Greece, was arrested and charged with wire fraud and mail … [Read more...] about New York Man Accused Of Scamming Buyers, Sellers Out Of $33K In Sports Cards
mail fraud
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
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
Nebraska Man Charged in Six-Figure Phony Card Scam
Federal prosecutors have charged an Omaha, Nebraska man with selling four sports cards to a buyer on eBay for $117,500, knowing all along they were reprints rather than the real deal. Thomas Martin Beatty, Jr. is facing fraud and money laundering charges after a grand jury handed down a five count indictment last week. Beatty is accused of using eBay to buy … [Read more...] about Nebraska Man Charged in Six-Figure Phony Card Scam
Former Mastro Exec Pleads Guilty
The Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Legendary Auctions pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in a Chicago federal courtroom on Tuesday. According to the Chicago Tribune, Mark Theotikos admitted to having a role in the practices of Mastro Auctions during his employment there that led to indictments against former company CEO Bill Mastro, President Doug Allen … [Read more...] about Former Mastro Exec Pleads Guilty
Superseding Indictment Issued in Case Against Sixth Dealer Charged in Bogus Jersey Scheme
Government attorneys have now extracted guilty pleas from five of the six sports memorabilia dealers originally indicated on mail fraud charges last year and their case against the sixth man continues to move forward. Bradley Wells of St. Petersburg, FL, opted for a guilty plea announced Thursday in connection with the sale of jerseys altered to appear game worn. Meanwhile, … [Read more...] about Superseding Indictment Issued in Case Against Sixth Dealer Charged in Bogus Jersey Scheme
Vintage Authentics Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Jerseys
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
FBI Agent: Large Numbers of Jerseys or Jersey Pieces in Evidence
The FBI says none of the six sports memorabilia dealers charged with fraud on Tuesday are facing conspiracy charges, but the accumulated total of jerseys and pieces of jerseys taken into evidence during its investigation in those cases runs into the thousands. The Bureau announced Tuesday that Eric Inselberg of New Jersey (Taylor Huff Inc. and Pasadena Trading Corp.) and … [Read more...] about FBI Agent: Large Numbers of Jerseys or Jersey Pieces in Evidence
FBI: Six Memorabilia Dealers Charged With Fraud Involving “Hundreds of Thousands” of Dollars
Federal prosecutors have charged six men with selling, consigning or auctioning jerseys to individuals--and card companies-- purported to have been worn by pro and college athletes that were never actually donned in competition. It's the second time in less than four months, fraud charges have been filed against dealers accused of selling bogus jerseys. Four defendants were … [Read more...] about FBI: Six Memorabilia Dealers Charged With Fraud Involving “Hundreds of Thousands” of Dollars
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