They’re cheaper to buy if you’re looking to turn a quick profit, but selling knock-off sports jerseys can also land you in federal court, whether you’re selling as is or looking to turn them into low cost autographed memorabilia. A 74-year-old Clearwater, FL man is the latest to suffer the wrath of federal agents cracking down on counterfeit goods. The U.S. Attorney’s … [Read more...] about Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Jerseys
US Attorneys Office
Shop Owner Gets Prison Time in Unpaid Tax Case
The owner of two sports memorabilia and gaming shops in the state of Washington who didn’t pay employment taxes on more than 50 of his workers over a nine-year period has been sentenced to 30 days in prison, ten months of home detention and restitution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is Seattle says Donald A. Knutsen, 54, the owner of Northwest Sportscards in Tacoma and … [Read more...] about Shop Owner Gets Prison Time in Unpaid Tax Case
Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Charges
The long-time owner of two sports card and gaming shops in the state of Washington has pleaded guilty to tax evansion charges. U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes announced Friday that Donald A. Knutsen, 54, the owner Northwest Sportscards, which had locations in Tacoma and University Place, admitted that he withheld over $234,000 in income, Social Security and Medicare … [Read more...] about Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Charges
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
U.S. Attorneys Seek 13-Year Sentence for Rogers Plus Restitution
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
Alabama Man Embezzled Nearly $3 Million; Bought Cards
An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $3 million from the electric company where he worked, spending much of it on baseball and football cards. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern Alabama says John “Jack” Willis stole the money over an 18-year period as a member services supervisor at Arab Electric Company in Arab, AL. He wasn’t caught until a … [Read more...] about Alabama Man Embezzled Nearly $3 Million; Bought Cards
Report: Rogers Set to Plead Guilty
Attorneys for former sports memorabilia dealer and photo archivist John Rogers have filed for a change of plea hearing, a strong indication he could be ready to admit to federal fraud charges. That request was granted in the Chicago offices of U.S. District Court earlier this month with a change of plea hearing slated for February 3. In September, the U.S. Attorney’s … [Read more...] about Report: Rogers Set to Plead Guilty
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...] about Lawyers Ask Judge to Keep Mastro Out of Prison
NY Postal Service Supervisor Charged With Possessing Stolen Baseball Cards
A United States Postal Service supervisor from New York has been arrested for selling sports cards federal prosecutors say had been stolen from the mail system. John Bu was arrested Thursday and appeared in White Plains federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy, who released Bu after he posted bail. According to the allegations in the criminal … [Read more...] about NY Postal Service Supervisor Charged With Possessing Stolen Baseball Cards