Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales - Page 4

Archive · #**151** 02-08-2008, 11:24 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI have actually held three truly legitimate Gibsons in my hands, and know of a small handful of others. Two were Puerto Rican League contracts, one was the postcard photo which has been sold by both REA and Mastro over the last few years. There is something really special about being that close to an in-demand autograph of such rarity. Charleston is actually tougher than Gibson--I think he's undervalued, even though prices are high.

Archive · #**152** 02-08-2008, 11:25 AM

Posted By: Dan BrettaIf nothing can be done to CC or SCD for perpetuating this scam then surely something can be done to the person forging these signatures. Forgery is a crime. Finding CC's supply line is the key to putting an end to it. That shouldn't be too hard. Just ask CC where they're getting all this stuff.

Archive · #**153** 02-08-2008, 12:24 PM

Posted By: MikeI think CC gets a lot of their stuff from previous winning bids. My opinion ! The winner finds out it may be fake or no one else will say it's real and so the item is sent back to be auctioned again. The original winner probably didn't get a refund, but sending it back to be consigned you can cover some of your losses.

Archive · #**154** 02-08-2008, 03:23 PM

Posted By: johnRichard, Were you saying you've never seen a real Gibson single or Gibson in any form? Regards, John

Archive · #**155** 02-08-2008, 03:54 PM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonJohn - I made my answer pretty clear. There are very few Gibsons in the hobby and I don't recall ever having one in my hands. I am not CC. Richard -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**156** 02-08-2008, 03:56 PM

Posted By: shelly jaffeMike, I am sure that might be true with some of the items but I have seen the same forger doing the same people over and over again one different items. It looks like there are two people that are doing the forgery. I have asked Richard as well as three other people I trust. They feel the same way as I do, that this is the work of two people and maybe a third on certain items.

Archive · #**157** 02-08-2008, 05:47 PM

Posted By: johnRichard, The reason I asked was that I owned a Gibson signature that was certed when the PSA/DNA team was working (You, Spence, Stinson, others) I had a high comfort level knowing the "team" had certed it. When you said you had never seen a real on, I was puzzled, a little worried about that one.

Archive · #**158** 02-08-2008, 06:54 PM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonJohn - the initial PSA team consisted of four people - Jim Spence, Jim Stinson, Ron Gordon and myself. Initially all four of us went out to PSA offices in California on a monthly basis and examined submissions. Then PSA decided to have three of us come to California every month and rotated us into a three man working team. It is possible that a Gibson was examined by the team when I was rotated out and was not there. It is possible that I did see it when I was there but I just don't remember it. Sorry to have worried you. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**159** 02-09-2008, 05:19 AM

Posted By: johnRichard-, Of all the authentication companies that have come and gone, I think the PSA/DNA "team" was the best. Its hard to have 4 experts not get it right. Any chance that concept will come around again?

Archive · #**160** 02-09-2008, 05:54 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonI would doubt it very much. We worked very well together, we enjoyed the work and I felt we did a great job. But the logistics made things difficult and scheduling and flying four guys in from all different parts of the country made it difficult. If you can come up with 2/3 other guys from the Northeast and find a company to start this up, I am in. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**161** 02-10-2008, 07:56 AM

Posted By: Solomon<<By employing two Companies that don't know what there doing. SCD told CC that to advertise in there paper they must have certain items authenticated. CC corner will say to the FBI look I went out of our way to have these pieces authenticated as per SCD. The authenticators will tell the FBI it only our opinion and nothing but nothing can be done. Donald Farngiapni authenticated over 5 thousand items none of them where authentic.The FBI could do nothing because it was his opinion.>> The stuff they are getting is not coming from 1000 different random consignors. That is where the buck has to stop eventually. If Law Enforement ever looks into it, SCD, CCA, and the authenticator can all pass the buck, but eventually the source is going to have to explain where his stuff is coming from. Still, I would wager LE isn't going to give everyone a free pass. There has to be a fiduciary public trust that all of them are violating. Maybe it would be hard to prove a criminal case, but I think a civil case would be a slam dunk.

Archive · #**162** 02-10-2008, 08:13 AM

Posted By: They need glassesGetting back to Beatles albums... They're something far more ominous going on behind the scenes. Frank Caiazzo is one of the most respected authenticators of Beatles material in the business. Beatles is all he does. He's been at it for 20+ years and has consulted for Christies, Bonhams, and hundreds of collectors and dealers worldwide. Today, If you "google" his name, you'll find hundreds of references describing his expertise, etc. There's a Florida company that sells, among other things, signed rock memorabilia. A lot of it, for a lot of money, in five galleries in southern Florida. And who do they employ to authenticate their material? Christopher Morales, that's who. It seems that this company is now SUING Caiazzo for pronouncing one of their signed Beatles albums a forgery. Think about that. You'll see that lawsuit at the same time you "google" Caiazzo's name. Why is someone paying a great deal of money to sue Caiazzo, and paying to maintain a website -- to protect Mr. Morales' reputation. Is there some reason they don't, perhaps, want to get another opinion on the "authenticated" goods they sell? One more point you folks may have failed to consider. THE VAST AMOUNT OF BOGUS MATERIAL COMING ON THE MARKET IS DEVALUING THE AUTHENTIC, LEGITIMATE MATERIAL YOU NOW OWN! If there are 100 real Mantle signed bats and 10,000 fake signed bats, eventually the perceived market will be that there's 10,100 signed bats. You lose, forgers win.

Archive · #**163** 02-10-2008, 08:20 AM

Posted By: shelly jaffeLove your web site.(theyneedglasses.com) I know that it sounds bad that Caiazzio is being sued, but discovery procedures could lead to finding out who the gallery's supplier is. I would bet that when push comes to shove that they will back out. The same thing holds true with CC.

Archive · #**164** 02-10-2008, 08:24 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonTo they need glasses - do you know Frank Caizzo? Tell him that we can start a defense fund for him in this action. If this suit advances the plaintiff will have to reveal his sources for all his Beatles items. edited to add: apparently a defense fund has already been started. I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**165** 02-10-2008, 08:28 AM

Posted By: shelly jaffeI wonder if there is an attorney on this site that can help us in a class action suite against CC. This might just put them out of business. If it doesn't put them out of business, it sure would make them produce the records of who supplies them with this crap..

Archive · #**166** 02-10-2008, 09:50 AM

Posted By: LarryAs we first mentioned, there are tens of thousands of signed Rock N Roll Memorabilia Albums and Photos(we had bought some) that are blatant mass produced fakes. We have been fortunate to see some vintage signed beatles memorabilia with multiple COA's including Frank C. Once you see the copies side by side, you can distinguish the real from the fake as long as the period signed is similar. Lennon's signature and Ringo's changed drastically over time but there is no doubt that the pieces that are forensically authenticated by above mentioned, differ and could possibly be deliberate and decently created for public sale. If you own a signed album with "sharpee" or multi colored (pen and color ink)signatures of Hendrix, Lynryd Skynryd, Doors, Joplin etc., plus the Beatles, good chance that these are fake. The only real way you can get a good bearing is to send the item to three or four different "experts" and if ALL agree it is no good, the percentages are they are not.

Archive · #**167** 02-10-2008, 01:39 PM

Posted By: 1880nonsportsthat I didn't get in person - I would have a LOT of trouble sleeping at night. It appears the leap of faith can be over a vast divide. Sometimes I can't identify my own signature other than to say when one isn't mine. Of course I'm old and addled now.... I've been into one of those shops here in Florida - in Delray. When my friend Scott and I walked into the store - Scott saw something he liked - I asked about the authentications. I had found this board just a few months before and had read the threads related to the above people. I was told they were all done by C. Moralas. When I asked about his association with the names of Frangipanni and whomever - I was given an explination of his work and credentials and referred to his website. They had MANY pieces all elaborately framed. The prices on the autos were all quite stiff and so I imagined they COULD be real as there was an appropriate mark-up for having to procure the items if they were real. The problem was the quantity of material on such item specific mediums (albums from the '60s and such) that they had in stock (and presumably all their other outlets as well) as well as the different categories of autographs (rock, presidents, sports, etc.) and all authenticated by a SINGLE PERSON. Wow. Mr. Moralas must be quite good - in fact the best - forensic examiner to ever live. In any event - I was surprised that my friend wanted to pull the trigger and buy whatever auto it was he wanted. I suggested it was imprudent and related a little of what I remembered from the threads and common sense. Maybe the stuff is real. Maybe some of it is. Maybe none of it is. Educated people apply a standard to much of what they do. Sometimes that gets lost in the moment. Stores like this are geared to the casual collector and impulse buyer who in all likelyhood is not an expert in a particular autograph. They have heard a certificate of authenticity is a good idea. They haven't heard that it's pretty much meaningless unless it actually comes from an expert - and as casual buyers they might not know an expert from a con man..........

Archive · #**168** 02-10-2008, 02:20 PM

Posted By: DDI've always wondered where they obtained all the vintage items that are then forged. I have not read of where the item was an obvious fake because the actual type of baseball, etc., hadn't been used at the time, or even when the player was alive. It's always that the signature is bad. There are many legitimate and advanced collectors of the type of memorabilia that these signatures are forged on. How does CC, or Morales and Taylor, get their hands on all this vintage stuff? Are they leftovers from some never occurred Scoreboard giveaway, or from some other vast hoard of material? I mention Scoreboard because they sold signed memorabilia, not for any reason other than that. I am not up on the history of who owned Scoreboard; just felt it was plausible that a hoard of vintage material could have belonged to them, and found it's way into the hands of the forgers.

Archive · #**169** 02-10-2008, 03:10 PM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonDuring Operation Bullpen it was revealed that some of the people involved would scour flea markets, garage sales, antique shows, ebay, etc. They would search for the vintage items, buy them (usually very cheaply) and then use the item to forge an autograph on. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**170** 02-10-2008, 06:28 PM

Posted By: LarryRegarding sports memorabilia, there is a decent percentage of authentic items in ratio to fakes because almost all baseball players were athletes that signed at games, events, team ball etc...even though there are clearly a lot of garbage especially through e bay offered, at least there is enough good material that the autograph collector who is a sports fan can become more educated. Rock and movie memorabilia is different, most of the vintage rockers did not sign in public, the limited amount of real material was usually contracts, checks, autograph paper and occasionally pictures, VERY FEW ALBUMS WERE SIGNED outside of the group's inner circle so there should be a strong provenence when buying a signed album of the beatles, grateful dead, elvis, joplin, led zeppelin band, the who, hendrix, lynryd skynrd, doors, buddy holly and other deceased etc of how item was obtained or it probably is fake ..There are tons of these albums signed "forensically authorized", often with the same names attached and possibly done with the best of intentions. We learned this the hard way and spent thousands of dollars being told my Rolling Stones, Elvis , Beatles, Dead, Hendrix, Doors etc signed album and photo items were all fakes, we did get back some money through legal channels but for the most part, we learned an expensive lesson. In the long run, we are wiser for this and hope that the industry gets rid of the scoundrels that prey upon the unsuspecting. You can easily buy vintage items like albums, 1st generation photos and buy original fountain pens and inks through antique dealers and a good forger can use these tools to create their "signature art". Then a unscrupulous dealer can concoct a great story, especially hiding behind the cloak of a forensic examiner that is offering an opinion rather than a guarantee. It is very unlikely that so many of these "great historical rock items" were actually signed by the band members since so few authentic material is actually seen and exemplars are less frequent due to the lifesyle of famous rockers and their frequency of being asked to sign was less than athletes who generally were sober, at least while playing and had more public exposure.

Archive · #**171** 02-10-2008, 06:31 PM

Posted By: They need glassesResponding to DD's email (and others) above - Charles Hamilton was one of the grand-pappies of autograph auctions and authentication. I had the pleasure of knowing him, and reading all of his many autograph books cover to cover. One thing he made clear - he would often be offered autographs of the rarest individuals, or letters with the greatest content, "gussied up" (as he put it) in fancy frames with ornate certificates, great provenance ("I found it in grandma's papers in her attic in Waukegan..."), and sworn to over a stack of Bibles. He told me to forget all the gingerbread and window dressing, to always assume the seller was a liar, and look at the autograph itself. If it was fake, it was fake, and no amount of pretense should sway your opinion. Other suckers would bite...Hamilton would look at it, declare it a dog, and send the seller packing. Moral: Any idiot with a good framer, a fancily-wallpapered store or glossy catalog, and and a couple of ornate "o-fish-ee-yal" certificates of authenticity can open shop and declare himself an autograph dealer. Anyone. And only a sucker will buy a silk purse made out of a sow's ear... And what a cakewalk its been for the bad guys. The forgers slowly perfect their craft and sell their stuff to middlemen. The middlemen have their material, perhaps unwittingly (!), authenticated by whomever, and are issued certificates that state that the authentication is really just their professional "opinion". This opinion is then used by dealers and auction houses to sell these goods, which THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE, because the auction house is admittedly not qualified, and anyway, no one is allowed to doubt the qualifications of the "authenticator" who has already offered his professional "opinion" on the piece you just bought! Then, when you go to resell your bargain prize at Christie's and they tell you it's fake, you're stuck - no returns allowed because your piece was already "authenticated". So tough luck. Own that silk purse with pride! Hang it in the garage. I like what I see on this thread. I like the fact that the few people that have fought this fight over the years really haven't been alone. Could we get together a group of collectors and/or dealers and devote the time and resources to further pursue cleaning-up this ever-deepening cesspool?

Archive · #**172** 02-10-2008, 07:56 PM

Posted By: DJThere was only this case of an item with a signature that was produced after the subject passed. This sold for over $3,000. <a href="http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum2/showthread.php?t=332" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum2/showthread.php?t=332</a> Otherwise, very difficult to prove if Babe and Lou signed that item. Even if they were alive (probably selling for Steiner), would they care? Sports celebrities don't seem miffed about people reproducing their signature. So many sports celebrities can utilize the VeRo program and have a representative of theirs pull forgeries off the site. Cal Ripken and Steve Yzerman's people are relentless about keeping their clients "Ebay clean". I have also liked what I have seen as well on this thread. Where was this thread and this kind of passion years ago? The hobby is clearly in a cesspool-state and someone mentioned this before that it destroys the inventory (investment?) of those with honest pieces. It's kind of like having the world's greatest printer and being able to produce PSA10's at will. Glasses, you mind telling us who you are and who is behind the site? I doubt you will, but I'll take a shot in asking. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> What needs to be done is create something, anything that would help this hobby. But what? But how? DJ

Archive · #**173** 02-11-2008, 06:51 AM

Posted By: Richard Simon"Could we get together a group of collectors and/or dealers and devote the time and resources to further pursue cleaning-up this ever-deepening cesspool?" quoted from glasses. Now that you are asking for volunteers to join with you, can we at least find out who you are. I would love to be involved in an organization to fight the good fight, but I would like to know who I am joining. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**174** 02-11-2008, 08:26 AM

Posted By: They need glassesThanks for the praise, gentlemen - it's much appreciated - but I'm far from done. At this time, I think I'll have to remain anonymous. I don't believe anyone should show their cards until the time is ripe. I want to leave all future options open, though you can bet I'll be contacting many of you privately to discuss how further action may proceed. My website, www.theyneedglasses.com, was created on the spur of the moment in reaction to a combination of events that have finally driven me and my supporters to action: a.) the enormous amount of "bad" material being "authenticated" and peddled in galleries and auctions has grown year by year; b.) incompetent or negligent authenticators are not being called to task for shoddy authentication practices; and the straw that broke the camel's back; c.) a legitimate, widely-recognized authenticator is being sued by a gallery owner who took umbrage with his opinion that a Morales-certified Beatles album was not authentic. So...the vendors of material which may be questionable are now bankrolling efforts to legitimize authenticators whose own credentials may be questionable! Boys and girls - tapping out angry postings to forums is cheap, easy, and generally safe. Taking real action is another thing altogether. It takes time, legal expertise, and money. Maybe a lot of it. But like the United Way, if spread over a large population, it aint so awful... First of all, it's vitally important to locate those people who have purchased items with COA's from "questionable" sources and who BASED their purchase on the validity of those COA's. They must also have had to have had their items widely condemned once offered for resale, or otherwise. A case has to be made that these authenticators and forensic examiners are consistently wrong, to the point of being incompetent. It would then follow that auction houses and galleries accepting this material, and having been warned multiple times that the material is "bad", were not exercising due diligence and may themselves be legitimate targets for litigation (or prosecution). I would then hope that a trail might lead to the forgers themselves.Then there's the matter of all these forgeries coming on the market and diluting the value of the legitimate, authentic material owned by collectors out there who paid real money for what they own. I'd like to hear from attorneys (with autograph dealer or auction house references) prepared to spend a little time researching the potentialities of this issue. I also need to hear from victims willing to step forward. I'll kick in $10,000 for starters. I need to hear from you - you'll be hearing more from me.

Archive · #**175** 02-11-2008, 08:44 AM

Posted By: They need glassesIn case any of you never got a chance to see the HBO Sports videos on authenticators, check out these Youtube videos (audio is a bit poor): Part 1:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bZF5rvPPIY" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bZF5rvPPIY</a> Part 2:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx3I8VE2aUU&feature=related" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx3I8VE2aUU&feature=related</a>

Archive · #**176** 02-11-2008, 09:03 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonIf you have not seen this HBO show, take the time out to do so now. I realize that I am praising myself a bit with this post , as I do come out looking very good on the blind test that was conducted by HBO, and many do not, but even if that did not happen, this would still be a worthwhile show for collectors to see. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**177** 02-11-2008, 09:46 AM

Posted By: MikeThanks for the YouTube information. I just watched it. Everyone should. Also has other videos on there with James Spence etc. Worth listening and watching. So if I wanted to have a Ruth ball and Beatles album reviewed, which three people or companies would you suggest? Thanks and I hope their opinions are all the same either ( fake or real), if differ then it really creates a problem.

Archive · #**178** 02-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Posted By: JoshI just watched both videos. I am just glad I do not collect or buy autographs only cards. That is very disturbing to watch. I am sure new rings are out there doing fakes and still passing them as we speak. Why do people still buy all the autograph stuff on ebay it's weird...

Archive · #**179** 02-11-2008, 10:18 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonJosh - though the risk is high, some people are autograph collectors. There is something about having an authentic autograph in your hands that "connects" you to the person who signed it, much more so than in any other collecting endeavor. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**180** 02-11-2008, 10:51 AM

Posted By: shelly jaffeWhy don't we try a full page add with Krause. If they turn it down they will be admitting that what the ad says is true. I know there are some really good writers on this site.

Archive · #**181** 02-11-2008, 11:44 AM

Posted By: johnLeon and board members, Before we all jump in bed with theyneedglasses, this person needs to id themselves. We have an unidentified poster soliciting monies from the board. If there was an annonymous poster for the other side (forensics) we would all come down hard on them. For credibility purposes, theyneedglasses needs to step up and be held to the same requirements we all have been held to. Lets do this right.

Archive · #**182** 02-11-2008, 11:53 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonI agree with John. Glasses should ID himself ASAP if he wants to establish credibility with this group. Anonymous posts carry much less weight around here. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**183** 02-11-2008, 12:12 PM

Posted By: They need glassesFriends - In response to John's posting, I am NOT in any way soliciting funds, nor would I EVER (if I were any of you) give a nickel to any anonymous individual or group purporting to be anything or do anything. I am suggesting that SOMEONE organize an effort to determine what options, legal and otherwise, are available to combat this growing menace to the hobby we love. I pledged $10,000 and I'll send to the first credible group with a good plan to put in place. I collect a lot of information from various sources for use on our website. Some of it is confidential. All lot of what I say is going to make a lot of people pissed off, and may invite unwelcome attention. So...until the time is ripe, I prefer to lay low and continue doing what I'm doing on my web site. Wouldn't you do the same? Alternatively, I'll contact some of my friends and associates in the industry who may be willing to publicly speak for me on this thread. I work closely with these folks and we've all been monitoring this site. Sorry this is all so cloak and dagger, guys, but frankly we're dealing with millions of dollars a year in bogus stuff, so undoubtedly there are some potentially very bad people somewhere in this mix.

Archive · #**184** 02-11-2008, 12:22 PM

Posted By: johnTheyneedglasses, You're missing the point. If we're expecting any results from Krause, collecting groups, or a judge, all cards need to be laid on the table. Annonymous posts have always been met with opposition from the board. Credibility goes out the window when a nameless, faceless entity is passing information. Personally, I would love to sling a little mud at a few dealers and auction houses if I didn't have to be identified. Who wouldn't? It's just not the way to get any positive results.

Archive · #**185** 02-11-2008, 12:39 PM

Posted By: They need glassesGents, There's two personae: 1.) The guy who put up and maintains www.theyneedglasses.com, who must remain anonymous for reasons already stated, and; 2.) The guy who is willing, publicly, to show his cards and cooperate openly and willingly with any organization or group that seeks to clean up this business, once some such structure is established. It's as simple as that. Now, we're getting sidetracked. Anyone who wants to contact me can do so via email and will get a response from a real human being, probably already known to them!

Archive · #**186** 02-11-2008, 05:25 PM

Posted By: shelly jaffeI started this thread with the hope that it would lead to people getting angry and doing something about the suspect part of the autograph market. Well I think that has worked. Now its time for the people on here to come up with a working idea on just how to get to fixing the problem. I still feel that we should put pressure on Krause and other publications that support the crap that is going on. I know that at the Hawaii show Tim Fitzsimmons of the FBI spoke to many of you. Maybe its time for him to speak to the public and not just the dealers. It also might take a person like me to do that as well. To make people aware of just how easy it is to lose your money in this hobby. To make them understand if it is to good to believe then don't believe it. There are a great deal of major shows and this might be the place where people will listen. Krause is running the upcoming show in Florida what better place to bring up CC than at that show. I just want this crap to end. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W

Archive · #**187** 02-11-2008, 05:42 PM

Posted By: They need glassesGreat idea, Shelly, but what promoter of an autograph and memorabilia show is going to want to have a speaker come in to discuss why so many autographs and so much signed memorabilia is bad? It'll be like the old Addams Family TV show - all you'll see is the door closing behind the people who can't get the hell out of there fast enough! I fear that the same thing will happen with any publication. Krause pubs., Autograph Collector magazine, etc. etc. don't want to publish bad news about the business that keeps them in clover. Remember, you don't sh_t where you eat. As I mentioned in an email to you a little while ago, discrediting bad authenticators is like playing Whack-a-Mole. As soon as you get rid of one, another pops up in his place. It's a matter of supply and demand. As long as forgers can make money selling their wares by getting them past "authenticators", there will always be a market for those authenticators. They only sure way to to curb this lunacy is to give them a good spanking. And that's where the law comes in. Lawmen don't care too much about money; it's flashbulbs and the spotlight that get them the promotions. How do you interest them in a case? Well, if Mohammed won't go to the mountain, bring the mountain to Mo....or better yet, bring the Press. Lawmen love the press, and the press eats up stories like this. Baseball, the national pastime, the glamor of rock, crime, deception, etc. etc. You were on the forefront - who better to contact Rolling Stone magazine or Sports Illustrated? Or 60 Minutes? I've dealt with the press many times in the past, and I could probably get us a head start or at least get us in the door. Anybody else have any solid press contacts? Don't think small! If there's a huge hue and cry following a big story in the press, lawmen will have no choice but to jump right in. What do you think?

Archive · #**188** 02-11-2008, 05:49 PM

Posted By: leon"They Need Glasses" I think you are crossing the line where you can remain anonymous. Please email me privately.....Lets chat for a minute......thanks....moderator (leon)

Archive · #**189** 02-11-2008, 05:50 PM

Posted By: They need glassesPS Where is Mr. Morales? Did someone say Bolivia? If he's authenticating 50-60 pieces a month for CC, plus all the stuff he authenticates for all of the galleries out there, eight or so last time I counted, plus the stuff he authenticates for Forever Legends, and God knows how many other internet autograph sites, how does he have time to even go bowling, let alone to Bolivia for a couple of weeks? And I hope the fellows from Stat are reading all of this. You guys are embarrassing. I'm just sayin'...

Archive · #**190** 02-11-2008, 05:54 PM

Posted By: johnMaybe PSA/DNA could answer that question for Morales. In the Bill Daniels lawsuit it was noted that PSA DNA authenticated a few thousand signatures for one major auction house in a 48 hour span. How is this possible?

Archive · #**191** 02-11-2008, 06:11 PM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonJohn - that very interesting question was never answered. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**192** 02-11-2008, 06:12 PM

Posted By: They need glassesLeon, I'm waiting to hear from you.

Archive · #**193** 02-11-2008, 06:53 PM

Posted By: leonAs I said in my email you have crossed the line of being able to remain anonymous. Please don't post anymore in this thread or any threads that are controversial or highly opinionated UNLESS you put your full name and good email address in the post(s). I didn't go back and read all of your other posts but even this most recent one where you said: "And I hope the fellows from Stat are reading all of this. You guys are embarrassing." is VERY FAR over the line in my opinion. I am not agreeing or disagreeing with your statements. Please understand this is not personal. You might very well be a great guy....but that really doesn't matter with respect to "amonymity" on this board. Please email if you have any questions concerning this. Our "Rules" section spells this out too...best regards edited a few typos

Archive · #**194** 02-11-2008, 07:30 PM

Posted By: They need glassesJust kidding, Leon - thanks to your for our email exchanges. Realize I've been a bit too forward with my pronouncements as an anonymous poster. I've also distracted everyone from the main issue at hand - cleaning up the hobby. Since I consider it most important for me to continue to educate the public through www.theyneedglasses.com, as well as pursuing other avenues beyond this forum, I'll just sit on the sidelines for now. If any of you folks can help out, contact me. If I can help YOU, I'll do whatever I can. Best of luck!

Archive · #**195** 02-11-2008, 07:40 PM

Posted By: shelly jaffeI have no problem standing up to the press. In fact I would look forward to it. I have called Morales and STAT out. I will be more than willing to do it in a public forum. The one thing I know more than anyone out there is the truth. Morales, STAT, Donald, AAU, Prody,William Tell,etc,etc, should and will go down. I look forward to all them trying to sue me for what I said on this site.

Archive · #**196** 02-11-2008, 09:05 PM

Posted By: shelly jaffeI think I might have hit a nerve. This is an email that was sent to me. You are a miserable, lowlife jailbird who wants people to think because you got caught you are repentant and the fact you were a forger and crook now makes you an expert on everything pertaining to autographs. You know damn well you've been dishonest all your life and your holier than thou attitude is really a big act to console yourself over the fact YOU GOT CAUGHT! You're a freakin' gonif. Go back to your circle jerk with the "Great" Autograph Dealer/Authenticator Simple Simon. Like that HBO garbage you two creeps cooked up, this is all a self aggrandizing ploy for both of you to look good. You don't. You're both morally ugly and if you want to clean up something start with yourselves. PS If you want to place ads re CC you should pay for them with the money you stole, GOnIF!!!! I was in a Federal Camp not Jail. I was never a forger. Richard had nothing to do with HBO. I will be more than happy to keep posting what you send me. The email came from omyguspar@aol.com

Archive · #**197** 02-12-2008, 05:32 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonAnonymous, vulgar name callers. Always a classy way to show the writers true colors. All you can do is laugh at crap like this. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

Archive · #**198** 02-12-2008, 07:12 AM

Posted By: shelly jaffeAs usual I spelled the email address wrong. It should be, imoguspar@aol.com

Archive · #**199** 02-12-2008, 09:47 AM

Posted By: Larryedited due to anonymity

Archive · #**200** 02-12-2008, 10:05 AM

Posted By: Richard S. SimonI was never tipped off by HBO regarding the blind test that they conducted on authenticators. If I had done badly on the test they would have told that in the story. I think the people that know me know that I have always had the utmost integrity in this business and that my word has always been good. edited due to Larry's remarks above which Leon has deleted due to the anonymous nature of the poster. He was questioning the integrity of the HBO show. -- I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Unknown author -- We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember. No retreat baby, no surrender. The Boss

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