According to long-time memorabilia collectors, the market for genuine vintage memorabilia has changed dramatically over the last decade.
In the late 1980s, the market consisted of a very limited supply of genuine articles (e.g., vintage balls, checks, old books, letters, and the rare cut).
These items were almost exclusively traded among a select group of collectors through a well-defined network.
However, the market is literally flooded with tens of thousands of vintage items (including bats, balls, jerseys, helmets, pictures, magazines, pieces of papers, posters, lithographs, record albums, and other items) that are simply counterfeit.
Crime Problem
During the 1990s, the FBI identified a major problem threatening the entire sports and celebrity memorabilia market. The Chicago Division of the FBI initiated a sports memorabilia fraud investigation targeting a group of individuals who forged, fraudulently authenticated, and distributed Chicago athletes' autographed memorabilia (including that of Michael Jordan).
To date, this case has resulted in the conviction of 14 individuals in five states (Illinois, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota) involved with forging and distributing forged memorabilia. Information developed by the Chicago FBI's "Foul Ball" investigation suggested that the problem might be national in scope.
While it is impossible to definitely estimate the percentage of forged memorabilia, most industry experts concede that over half of the autographed memorabilia is forged. In fact, some cooperating subjects and memorabilia experts believe that up to 90 percent of the memorabilia on the market is forged.
Industry experts estimate that the autographed memorabilia market in the United States is approximately $1 billion per year. Using these estimates, forged memorabilia comprises between $500,000,000 and $900,000,000 of the market.
In 1997, the FBI in San Diego utilized the information from Operation Foul Ball and by the Upper Deck Company to institute an undercover operation designed to infiltrate the nationwide memorabilia fraud network.
The FBI and the United States Attorney's Office invited the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, to participate in this investigation in order to take advantage of their ability to document money laundering and tax violations, as well as their expertise in tracing proceeds to identify unreported income. The Investigation
In 1997, the government devised an undercover scenario in which an undercover agent would pose as a distributor of American memorabilia in Asia. This scenario enabled the FBI to purchase evidence without being forced to sell forged items to the public. It also made the criminals more likely to openly discuss the counterfeit nature of the memorabilia because it was "going overseas" beyond the reach of U. S. law enforcement agencies.
To support this "cover story," the FBI established the Nihon Trading Company in Oceanside, California. The goal of the undercover operation was to infiltrate the forged memorabilia market and obtain recorded statements from those individuals who were identified as forgers, authenticators, and distributors of fraudulent memorabilia.
The key evidence in this investigation were recorded statements that captured the individuals knowing involvement in forging, fraudulently authenticating, and/or distributing forged memorabilia.
The San Diego Division of the FBI conducted a total of more than 1,000 consensually recorded audio and videotapes. During the consensually recorded conversations, numerous co-conspirators made incriminating statements that illuminate the nature and common practices involved with sports memorabilia fraud.
For example, one of the conspirators joked to the undercover agent about how Mickey Mantle still has one arm out of the grave doing autographs. Other conspirators noted that Wilt Chamberlin was still available for signing weeks after his death.
During the investigation, various conspirators became suspicious of a law enforcement investigation and scheduled a breakfast meeting at a restaurant in Carlsbad, California.
The conspirators discussed how to avoid law enforcement detection, attempted to identify individuals who might cooperate with law enforcement, and developed a strategy of not talking if confronted by law enforcement. Several agents having breakfast at adjacent tables overheard all of these statements.
The investigation also revealed that the conspirators attempted to avoid detection by conducting transactions in cash and by using nominee names on bank accounts and other assets. Many maintained substantial amounts of currency that they used to pay bills and to purchase vehicles, real estate, and additional memorabilia.
The San Diego Office of the FBI also sought and received the assistance of professional baseball players Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres and Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both athletes assisted the FBI by identifying forgeries of their autographs and thus provided investigators significant leads regarding the identities of individuals involved in this illegal activity.
The Takedown
On October 13, 1999, based upon an extensive amount of evidence, special agents of the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service executed approximately 60 search warrants at residences and businesses in five states, including California, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Over 400 special agents were involved in the operation.
While executing the search warrants, the FBI and IRS seized over $500,000 cash and approximately $10 million of forged memorabilia. The seized memorabilia included over 10,000 forged baseballs, signed by a variety of athletes and celebrities. Some of the autographs included:
Mother Teresa
President Ronald Reagan
Babe Ruth
Ty Cobb
Mickey Mantle
Roberto Clemente
Mark McGwire
Sammy Sosa
Tony Gwynn
The FBI and IRS also seized or purchased hundreds of "cut" autographs. These are pieces of paper containing an autograph of an individual who has died many years ago. The autograph cuts that were seized or purchased included:
President George Washington
President Abraham Lincoln
President Theodore Roosevelt
President John F. Kennedy
James Dean
Marilyn Monroe
Elvis Presley
James Cagney
Walt Disney
Charles Chaplin
Ty Cobb
Babe Ruth
Christy Mathewson
Cy Young
Roberto Clemente
The investigation revealed that the counterfeiters used ink, writing implements, and paper that were produced when the forged individual was living. To acquire the "old paper," they tore blank pages from old books that they purchased at thrift stores.
The evidence seized during this investigation was stored in a 10,000 square foot warehouse.
Accomplishments
To date, Operation Bullpen has accomplished a wide variety of objectives. One of the most significant accomplishments is the infiltration and dismantling of a major nationwide network of forgers, authenticators, wholesalers, and retailers. This organization is responsible for the creation and sale of up to $100 million of forged memorabilia.
This network distributed forged memorabilia directly to retailers in 15 states including California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Hawaii, Kansas, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In addition, the wholesalers sold forged memorabilia to retail businesses and consumers in virtually every state in the country.
The first group of individuals is scheduled to be arraigned on fraud and tax charges on or about April 11, 2000. This group of individuals includes forgers:
Greg Marino
Angelo Marino
Mike Moses
Mike Lopez
David Tabb
Richard Mitchell
This group also includes a number of authenticators and distributors:
1. Wayne Bray - Authenticator and Wholesaler, dba:
a. Sports & Celebrity Authentic Autographs, San Marcos, California and b. WW Sports Cards, San Marcos, California
2. John Marino, Gloria Marino, Kathleen Marino - Assisted Forgers and Wholesalers, dba:
a. Front Page Art - Greg Marino, Angelo Marino
3. Mike Moses - Forger, Wholesaler, and Authenticator, dba
a. Sports Management Group, Aliso Viejo, California b. Universal Authentic Memorabilia, San Clemente, California c. Sports Alley, Laguna Niguel, California
Robyn Moses, Wholesaler
4. Reno Ruberti - Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. Universal Authentic Memorabilia, San Clemente, California Karen Ruberti
5. David Tabb* Forger, Wholesaler, and Authenticator, d.b.a.
a. Hollywood Dreams, Santa Ana, California b. Classic Memorabilia, Santa Ana, California c. Hollywood Collectibles, Santa Ana, California
*Tabb was the subject of two television investigative reports regarding the sale of forged memorabilia in the lobbies of theaters in California and Arizona.
6. Ricky Mitchell - Forger and Wholesaler
7. Mike Lopez - Forger and Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. International Sports Marketing, Rosemead, California
8. Mike Bowler - Distributor and Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. Catch a Star, Oceanside, California b. JMC Distributors, Oceanside, California c. J & M Sports Cards, Oceanside, California
9. Ricky Weimer - Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. Rick's Collectibles, Escondido, California
10. Sheldon Jaffe - Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. Shelly's Cards, Tustin, California
11. Richard Laughlin - Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. Framed Images, San Juan Capistrano, California
12. Michael Tapales - Wholesaler and "Runner", d.b.a.
a. Prime Time Sports Cards, Buena Park, California
13. Carmen "Chip" Lombardo - Wholesaler, d.b.a.
a. Home Field Advantage, Del Mar, California
14. Jon Hall - Retailer, d.b.a.
a. Del Mar Sports Cards, San Diego, California
15. Lowell Katz - Retailer, d.b.a.
a. The Beautiful and the Unusual, Long Beach, California
The government's investigation in San Diego is continuing, and it is anticipated that many others will be charged with fraud and tax evasion. In addition to charging all those responsible with fraud and tax offenses, the FBI and the IRS - Criminal Investigation Division are seizing assets, assessing fines, and determining tax liability.
The seized assets include two homes with a combined value of approximately $1,000,000; a 38-foot boat valued at $34,000; jewelry worth approximately $56,000; a Ferrari; a Harley Davidson Sportster; and cash or fines totaling over $1,000,000.
Through the execution of approximately 60 search warrants and undercover agent/informant evidence purchases, the FBI and the IRS seized approximately $10,000,000 of forged memorabilia that would have been sold to the unsuspecting public.
La Jolla Sports Cards Bruce Gaston, La Jolla, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
264
Photos/Posters
145
Bats
39
Cuts
0
Jerseys
19
Hats/Helmets
70
Other Balls, Pucks
12
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
96
Shelly's Cards Shelly Jaffe, Tustin, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
144
Photos/Posters
104
Bats
13
Cuts
1
Jerseys
4
Hats/Helmets
22
Other Balls, Pucks
1
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Home Field Advantage Chip Lombardo, Del Mar, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
40
Photos/Posters
30
Bats
1
Cuts
0
Jerseys
0
Hats/Helmets
6
Other Balls, Pucks
9
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Mike Lopez Rosemead, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
40
Photos/Posters
110
Bats
80
Cuts
0
Jerseys
96
Hats/Helmets
33
Other Balls, Pucks
5
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Ricky Weimer Escondido, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
66
Photos/Posters
151
Bats
206
Cuts
31
Jerseys
3
Hats/Helmets
0
Other Balls, Pucks
5
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
44
Framed Images Dick Laughlin, San Juan Capistrano, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
0
Photos/Posters
45
Bats
1
Cuts
50
Jerseys
2
Hats/Helmets
1
Other Balls, Pucks
0
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
LNN Nate Harrison, San Marcos, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
322
Photos/Posters
0
Bats
0
Cuts
300
Jerseys
300
Hats/Helmets
150
Other Balls, Pucks
50
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Universal Mike Moses, San Clemente, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
14
Photos/Posters
47
Bats
3
Cuts
1
Jerseys
0
Hats/Helmets
5
Other Balls, Pucks
6
Albums, CDs, etc.
2
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Ricky Mitchell San Diego, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
100
Photos/Posters
20
Bats
3
Cuts
10
Jerseys
0
Hats/Helmets
1
Other Balls, Pucks
0
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Catcha Star Mike Bowlet, Oceanside, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
85
Photos/Posters
804
Bats
7
Cuts
50
Jerseys
7
Hats/Helmets
75
Other Balls, Pucks
77
Albums, CDs, etc.
61
Misc. - Lithographs
200
Beautiful/Unusual Lowell Katz, Long Beach, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
0
Photos/Posters
180
Bats
0
Cuts
85
Jerseys
0
Hats/Helmets
0
Other Balls, Pucks
0
Albums, CDs, etc.
5
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Forrest Golembeske Fullerton, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
15
Photos/Posters
17
Bats
0
Cuts
0
Jerseys
4
Hats/Helmets
0
Other Balls, Pucks
288
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
25
Mike Moses Newport Coast, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
234
Photos/Posters
180
Bats
31
Cuts
0
Jerseys
38
Hats/Helmets
44
Other Balls, Pucks
15
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
John Marino Escondido, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
150
Photos/Posters
310
Bats
13
Cuts
19
Jerseys
100
Hats/Helmets
10
Other Balls, Pucks
7
Albums, CDs, etc.
30
Misc. - Lithographs
0
WWSC San Marcos, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
60
Photos/Posters
50
Bats
1
Cuts
50
Jerseys
0
Hats/Helmets
0
Other Balls, Pucks
12
Albums, CDs, etc.
20
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Del Mar Sports Cards Jon Hall, Del Mar, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
100
Photos/Posters
350
Bats
25
Cuts
50
Jerseys
4
Hats/Helmets
3
Other Balls, Pucks
20
Albums, CDs, etc.
20
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Dave Tabb Costa Mesa, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
1
Photos/Posters
260
Bats
0
Cuts
2
Jerseys
0
Hats/Helmets
0
Other Balls, Pucks
0
Albums, CDs, etc.
2
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Greg Marino Escondido, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
20
Photos/Posters
60
Bats
0
Cuts
2
Jerseys
2
Hats/Helmets
1
Other Balls, Pucks
0
Albums, CDs, etc.
1
Misc. - Lithographs
300
Bristol Storage Orange County, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
15
Photos/Posters
4
Bats
10
Cuts
0
Jerseys
1
Hats/Helmets
1
Other Balls, Pucks
5
Albums, CDs, etc.
0
Misc. - Lithographs
0
A+ Storage Rino Ruberti, Orange County, California
Memorabilia
Quantity
Baseballs
224
Photos/Posters
350
Bats
54
Cuts
0
Jerseys
20
Hats/Helmets
13
Other Balls, Pucks
53
Albums, CDs, etc.
8
Misc. - Lithographs
0
Mail Fraud Title 18, United States Code Section 1341
Wire Fraud Title 18, United States Code Section 1343
Racketeering Title 18, United States Code Section 1961
Money Laundering Title 18, United States Code Section 1956 and 1957
Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods Title 18, United States Code Section 2320
Tax Offenses Title 26, United States Code Sections 7201 and 7206
Conspiracy Title 18, United States Code Section 371
Public Awareness
Perhaps the most important objective of this investigation is to increase public awareness regarding the substantial memorabilia fraud problem that may account for upwards of $500,000,000 in losses annually.
While there are legitimate and reputable companies selling authentic memorabilia, the industry has been plagued with high-quality forgeries making it difficult for legitimate companies to compete.
It also defrauds thousands of unsuspecting consumers each year. While the only way to absolutely guarantee that the autographed memorabilia is authentic is to personally witness the autograph, there are several ways to avoid becoming a memorabilia fraud victim.
These recommendations include:
If the price is too good to be true, it is probably a fake. If a company offers an autographed item well below competitors’ prices and market value, then consumers should be wary. An example would include Michael Jordan basketballs, which some companies sell for as low as $150. Given Jordan's current exclusive contract with Upper Deck and difficulties associated with obtaining his autograph, the Tuff Stuff Magazine market value of an autographed Jordan Basketball is $500, while Upper Deck Michael Jordan autographed basketballs retail for up to $1,500. (Caution: a high price does not by any means suggest authenticity either.)
Certificates of authenticity are not guarantees of authenticity. Individuals and companies involved with selling forged memorabilia often include a Certificate of Authenticity, allegedly from a third party expert. Often, the authenticator is either a knowing or unknowing, but incompetent, participant in the fraud. Carefully read the Certificate of Authenticity, looking for the authentication "language", an address, telephone number, and name of the authenticators. Do not accept copies of Certificates of Authenticity.
A photograph of an athlete or celebrity signing an autograph is no guarantee the item is authentic. This investigation revealed that it is a common practice of forged memorabilia traffickers to include a photograph of the athlete/celebrity signing the item along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Traffickers also include photographs of themselves with the athlete/celebrity to lend credibility to their forged memorabilia.
An individual or company having a paid signing session with an athlete or celebrity is no guarantee of authenticity. Operation Bullpen has revealed that is a common practice for forged memorabilia traffickers to "mix-in" forged memorabilia with items signed during an autograph session. For example, a company may pay to have an athlete sign 500 items. After the signing, the company will "mix-in" forgeries with the authentic autographs. The company also may continue to sell forged items after the authentic items have been sold claiming that they were from the autograph session.
The method of selling the memorabilia should not affect skepticism about the item’s authenticity. The investigation revealed that forged memorabilia traffickers sell their forgeries through a variety of methods that may lend credibility to the forgeries. One such sales method is through charity auctions in which the trafficker splits the profits with the charity. At charity auctions, buyers often overpay for items and do not question the authenticity of the memorabilia. Traffickers also sell forged items through trade publications, television shopping networks, trade shows, retail businesses, and the Internet.
Before purchasing autographed memorabilia, especially "vintage" or deceased athlete/celebrity memorabilia, ask questions about the history and circumstances relating to the autograph. Be wary of far-fetched or elaborate stories that are difficult, if not impossible, to verify. Common false stories suggest connections to an athlete or "runners" employed to get autographs. Whenever possible, attempt to verify the history and circumstances of the autographed items before making the purchase.
If an individual is seeking an autograph of a current player, send a request for an autograph directly to the athlete's team. Include a letter requesting that the enclosed item be autographed along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope or container. Only send photographs, cards, or baseballs. Large items such as bats and jerseys should not be sent directly to the athlete. In the letter requesting an autograph, request information relating to where you can purchase authentic autographed items if the athlete does not sign autographs through mailed requests. The athlete or the team may direct the buyer to a company that has an autograph contract with the athlete.
To counter the forged memorabilia problem, many athletes and celebrities are either creating their own autograph company or are signing exclusive contracts with specific sports memorabilia companies. Dealing directly with the athlete's company or with an exclusive contract company will greatly reduce the likelihood of purchasing forged memorabilia.
Other organizations that have assisted in this investigation include:
The Upper Deck Company
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
Major League Baseball
San Diego Padres
EBay
San Diego Police Department
Oceanside Police Department
California State Attorney General's Office
Seized Items
Seized Items
Value
U.S. Currency
$409,838
Bank Accounts (3)
$239,330
Bank Account (1)
$101,000
Miscellaneous Items of Jewelry
$56,274
Authentic Items of Miscellaneous Sports and Celebrity Memorabilia
$50,000 (estimate)
Fraudulent Items of Miscellaneous Sports and Celebrity Memorabilia
$10,000,000 (estimate)
1999 Maxum Vessel
$34,000
1997 Harley Davidson Motorcycle
$6,350
1983 Ferrari
$33,000
One Residence in San Marcos, California
$195,000
One Residence in Escondido, California
$700,000
E-Trade Account
$35,000 equity
Total Value
$11,859,792
Those who believe they can quietly buy and sell non-genuine merchandise on eBay and get away with it might want to check in with an eastern Pennsylvania man who could be facing a long prison sentence.
The U.S. Attorney's office has filed an indictment against Forrest R. Smith III of Reading. Smith is charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. The indictment alleges that Smith forged the signatures of famous authors in copies of their books and then sold those books at inflated prices on eBay.
The government's charges show Smith accused of selling his items to over 400 different unsuspecting buyers between 2002 and December 15 of last month. Smith took in more than $300,000 from the sales.
“The system of buying and selling over the Internet depends on trust,” said acting U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid. “This defendant abused that trust to enrich himself. Hundreds of collectors thought they were purchasing valuable books bearing the signatures of renowned authors. In reality, their appreciation for the book or the author was being exploited to satisfy one man’s greed.”
Smith created and used two different eBay accounts to carry out his fraudulent scheme: one registered in his name with the user identification of “bigdaddy_books,” and one registered in his wife’s name with the user identification of “bev103162smith.” According to the indictment, Smith used the “bigdaddy_books” account to purchase unsigned books, then forged authors’ signatures in them and re-sold them as “signed” from the “bev103162smith” account. He was able to carry out the scheme, in part, because he had obtained documents containing authentic signatures of each author and had ink-based stamps made for the signatures. The indictment alleges that Smith then used those ink-based stamps to place the false signatures in the books he sold on eBay.
Smith allegedly forged autographs of deceased writers including Michael Crichton, James Michener, Norman Mailer, Leon Uris and Kurt Vonnegut, and living authors John Irving and Tom Wolfe.
Sports collectors have seen the same type of scam take place online with sellers faking not only autographs, but wax packs. A seller will buy large quantities of vintage wax pack wrappers, using them to create 'packs' they list as 'unopened'. The packs, filled with commons or low value cards, often sell to naive buyers for a hefty profit. Sometimes the sellers are brazen enough not to bother creating separate eBay IDs, buying the wrappers and selling vintage packs within weeks of each other.
Shipping fraudulent merchandise through the U.S. Postal Service is a felony.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting the public’s full confidence in the U.S. mail system by actively pursuing individuals seeking to use the U.S. mail in furtherance of any scheme devised to defraud the public,” said U.S. Postal Inspector-in-Charge Teresa Thome of the Philadelphia Division.
If convicted of all charges, Smith faces a maximum possible sentence of 80 years imprisonment, a $1million fine, 12 years of supervised release, a $400 statutory assessment, and restitution.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.
This is No Bull !
Each Monday morning FBI agent Bob Walker trades his uniform—white dress shirt, dark suit and 10-mm Smith & Wesson—for a T-shirt and jeans. For four hours, at an FBI storage facility in Chicago, he becomes the antifan, defacing boxloads of pricey sports memorabilia.
Walker sprays paint over Michael Jordan's signature on a basketball. He uses an industrial-strength solvent to remove Dan Marino's name from a football. He covers Anfernee Hardaway's autograph with indelible ink. For the final touch Walker applies a stamp—FBI OPERATION FOULBALL, FORGERY—that identifies each item as seized contraband.
The FBI is completing the initial phase of Operation Foulball, the first federal crackdown on counterfeit sports memorabilia. This summer, in U.S. district court in Chicago, six men who operated a forgery ring were given sentences of 18½ months in prison to four years of probation for bilking collectors out of as much as $5 million.
Over the past decade sales of sports memorabilia have risen to an estimated $3 billion a year, and fraud has grown exponentially. Agents across the country are engaged in investigations of forgery rings, but so far the case in Chicago has been the most significant. "I do not think any of us expected this was going to be as large as it is," says Mike Bassett, the FBI agent who broke the case.
Bassett's interest was first piqued by a 1994 phone call from a collector who had acquired a game-used, autographed Frank Thomas glove and had been nagged by doubts about its authenticity. Pursuing the tip, Bassett and his partner, Walker, eventually nabbed a Chicago sports-collectibles dealer named Anthony Alyinovich.
From 1994 through '96, Alyinovich led a conspiracy to make and sell bogus sports memorabilia: jerseys, bats, balls and photographs bearing the forged autographs of professional athletes. Alyinovich, 31, has admitted that during one five-week period last year he distributed more than 1,700 items of forged memorabilia.
Half the fake memorabilia the FBI has confiscated is allegedly "signed" by Michael Jordan, who rarely gives autographs. When the federal investigation began, agents and prosecutors interviewed a number of stars—including Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls; Shawn Kemp, then with the Seattle SuperSonics and now with the Cleveland Cavaliers; and Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox—about their signing practices. Each athlete said he hadn't signed the pieces in question and expressed outrage about the forgeries.
Those conversations confirmed the suspicions of assistant U.S. attorneys Joel Bertocchi and David Rosenbloom, who then obtained search warrants and wiretaps that would help them arrest the producers of the fraudulent memorabilia. Bassett and Walker staked out sporting-goods stores around Chicago.
They discovered, among other things, a run on size-13 Air Jordan basketball shoes, the ones Jordan himself presumably would use and then autograph. With the help of store owners the agents marked merchandise to enable them to trace the flow of raw material among the counterfeiters. Armed with a search warrant, they then visited Federal Express offices to open packages shipped by the forgery suspects and inspect marked goods that now bore bogus signatures. They resealed the containers and allowed them to be delivered.
Wiretaps and concealed cameras in a Chicago warehouse recorded the forgers' conversations and actions. On the wall of the rented warehouse the counterfeiters posted a chart designating who was responsible for each Bull's signature.
Kevin Walsh of Chicago forged the names of six players, and Jon Schwartz of Des Plaines, Ill., signed for the remaining six. Schwartz and Walsh charged Alyinovich fees ranging from $5 per signature on a photograph to $50 for the autograph on a Jordan jersey. The jersey might fetch as much as $1,000 from an unsuspecting fan.
On request, Alyinovich donated forged sports memorabilia to charities that he knew would unwittingly market the material as genuine. (Buyers at charity events are often willing to pay top dollar.) The conspirators even attempted to con one another.
To create a patina of legitimacy, the forgers issued bogus certificates of authenticity. Stories were concocted to explain the merchandise's origins. Conspirators talked of having paid "hawkers" to obtain signatures outside arenas, hotels and other public places. More often they boasted of contacts who knew someone close to the athletes.
