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
operation bullpen
Notes: Heritage Nicknames, Bullpen Agent Dies; Junior Autographs for $3
2018 Topps Heritage boxes have been popping up at retail outlets just ahead of Wednesday’s official hobby shop and online release date. Among the early pulls was one of the short-printed Shohei Ohtani autographs, which was quickly placed on eBay for a hefty price. There are nickname variations, too, with a few already pulled such as “Thor” for Noah Syndergaard, “Mr. … [Read more...] about Notes: Heritage Nicknames, Bullpen Agent Dies; Junior Autographs for $3
Sports Illustrated Chronicles Rise and Fall of Fake Autograph Ring
For the past three years, we’ve been following what turned out to be a major sports autograph fraud ring, spearheaded by a former college and semi-pro baseball player from Ohio. The case, which was prosecuted by the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office but also involved agents from the FBI, involved the sale of over 27,000 fake items sold on eBay over several years to … [Read more...] about Sports Illustrated Chronicles Rise and Fall of Fake Autograph Ring
Watch ESPN 30-for-30: The Counterfeiter
Earlier this year, we showed you the trailer for the ESPN 30-for-30 short film on Operation Bullpen called 'The Counterfeiter'. Now, the entire show is available to view online. The film is centered around master forger Greg Marino, an artist who became an expert in faking the signatures of Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and hundreds of other athletes, … [Read more...] about Watch ESPN 30-for-30: The Counterfeiter
Confiscated Equipment from Phony Autograph Case to be Donated
When investigators shut down a phony sports memorabilia ring in Ohio, they discovered thousands of items that were being used to hold those fake autographs. Stacked on pallets were jerseys, helmets and enough baseballs, footballs and basketballs to equip more than a few athletic teams. It seemed like a shame to throw it all away but the items that had fake autographs … [Read more...] about Confiscated Equipment from Phony Autograph Case to be Donated
ESPN 30 for 30 Film Focuses on Operation Bullpen Forger
The 1990s FBI investigation known as Operation Bullpen is becoming an ESPN 30 for 30 film. A trailer has been released promoting the 22-minute film, which includes interviews with Greg Marino, the master forger who produced thousands of phony autographs that were at the heart of the case, and the two FBI agents who worked to bring down the operation. While most people … [Read more...] about ESPN 30 for 30 Film Focuses on Operation Bullpen Forger
California Rep’s Bill Focused on Bogus Autographs
California Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) has a celebrity backer for legislation she says would help consumers who are the victims of forged autographs. Chang says the large number of bogus signatures makes it too easy for consumers to be defrauded. Assembly Bill 1570 is aimed at putting safeguards in place as well as providing civil recourse for buyers of … [Read more...] about California Rep’s Bill Focused on Bogus Autographs
A Summer Baseball and Collectors Reading List
If you consider grabbing a book (or the device that holds the electronic version) and kicking back in a comfortable spot part of what makes for a great summer, we’ve got a summer reading list for sports fans and collectors. It’s the time of year when some terrific baseball books are usually issued and there are also some new or re-issued editions, too. New … [Read more...] about A Summer Baseball and Collectors Reading List
Movie Rights to Operation Bullpen Purchased
Operation Bullpen: The Movie? It could happen. The motion picture rights to the book about the massive forgery ring that plagued the sports memorabilia industry in the 1990’s have been purchased by sports and marketing agent Harlan J. Werner. Werner, who is a long-time sports memorabilia collector and dealer as well as co-owner of a national chain of retail movie … [Read more...] about Movie Rights to Operation Bullpen Purchased
Rich’s Ramblings: Tony Gwynn a Friend to Collectors
I was taking a brief break around 11 a.m. Monday when I saw the breaking news about the passing of Tony Gwynn. While subconsciously I remembered the battle Gwynn had been fighting with oral cancer, I had forgotten how serious his condition was until I read about his death. This one hits a little closer to home because he was one month and a couple of days older than I was and … [Read more...] about Rich’s Ramblings: Tony Gwynn a Friend to Collectors