Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Solomon</b><p>&lt;&lt;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.&gt;&gt;<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Getting back to Beatles albums...<br /><br />They're something far more ominous going on behind the scenes. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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? <br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>Love 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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>To 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.<br /><br />edited to add: apparently a defense fund has already been started.<br /><br />I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I 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..

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Larry</b><p>As 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>1880nonsports</b><p>that 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..........

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>DD</b><p>I'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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>During 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.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Larry</b><p>Regarding 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. <br /><br />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. <br /> <br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Responding to DD's email (and others) above - <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Other suckers would bite...Hamilton would look at it, declare it a dog, and send the seller packing.<br /><br />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...<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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? <br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>DJ</b><p>There was only this case of an item with a signature that was produced after the subject passed. This sold for over $3,000.<br /><br /><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><br /><br />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".<br /><br />I have also liked what I have seen as well on this thread. Where was this thread and this kind of passion years ago? <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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><br /><br />What needs to be done is create something, anything that would help this hobby. But what? But how? <br /><br />DJ<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard Simon</b><p>"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.<br /><br />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.<br />--<br /><br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Thanks for the praise, gentlemen - it's much appreciated - but I'm far from done. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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:<br /><br />a.) the enormous amount of "bad" material being "authenticated" and peddled in galleries and auctions has grown year by year;<br /><br />b.) incompetent or negligent authenticators are not being called to task for shoddy authentication practices; and the straw that broke the camel's back;<br /><br />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. <br /><br />So...the vendors of material which may be questionable are now bankrolling efforts to legitimize authenticators whose own credentials may be questionable!<br /><br />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...<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I'll kick in $10,000 for starters.<br /><br />I need to hear from you - you'll be hearing more from me.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>In 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):<br /><br />Part 1:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bZF5rvPPIY" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bZF5rvPPIY</a><br /><br />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>

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>If you have not seen this HBO show, take the time out to do so now.<br />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.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Mike</b><p>Thanks for the YouTube information. I just watched it. Everyone should. Also has other videos on there with James Spence etc. Worth listening and watching. <br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Josh</b><p>I 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...

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Josh - 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.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>Why 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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Leon and board members,<br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>I 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.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Friends - <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Theyneedglasses,<br /><br />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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Gents,<br /><br />There's two personae:<br /><br />1.) The guy who put up and maintains www.theyneedglasses.com, who must remain anonymous for reasons already stated, and;<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It's as simple as that.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I 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. <br />I still feel that we should put pressure on Krause and other publications that support the crap that is going on. <br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />W

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Great 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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />What do you think?<br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>"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)

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>PS 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? <br /><br />And I hope the fellows from Stat are reading all of this. You guys are embarrassing.<br /><br />I'm just sayin'...

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Maybe 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?

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

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

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Leon, I'm waiting to hear from you.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>As 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:<br /><br />"And I hope the fellows from Stat are reading all of this. You guys are embarrassing."<br /><br />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<br /><br />edited a few typos

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>They need glasses</b><p>Just kidding, Leon - thanks to your for our email exchanges. Realize I've been a bit too forward with my pronouncements as an anonymous poster. <br />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!

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I 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.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I think I might have hit a nerve. This is an email that was sent to me.<br /><br />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.<br />PS<br />If you want to place ads re CC you should pay for them with the money you stole, GOnIF!!!!<br /><br />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

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Anonymous, 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>.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>As usual I spelled the email address wrong. It should be, imoguspar@aol.com

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Larry</b><p>edited due to anonymity

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>I 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. <br />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.<br /><br />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.<br />--<br /><br />I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Bill Panagopulos</b><p>Just finished reading all of the postings above re: Mr. Morales, Coach's Corner, Stat Authetics etc. after having gotten the head's up from the webmaster at theyneeedglasses.com. I see he was asked to step forward and ID himself but I can understand his reluctance in light of the content of his website. I'm glad to see he's not alone in his dismay over the current state of affairs in what's become the autograph authentication disaster.<br /><br />For those who don't know me, I'm the owner of Alexander Autographs, Inc., an auction house devoted to the sale of historic autographs and manuscripts (only). We sell about 2,000 lots per auction, about three time a year. We've been at it for about 12+ years, we don't use any outside authenticators whatsoever (and never have), we're members of PADA, UACC, the Manuscript Society, Ephemera Society, etc. and guarantee our material for life.<br /><br />I'll open by saying that it's my firm belief that any autograph auction house that will not guarantee its material, preferably for life, is simply not worth its salt. What (other than a little thing like ethics) would stop me from hiring Joe Blow down the block to authenticate my material, and then keep me from telling my bidders that, essentially, "I'm not qualified to authenticate this material - you have to rely on my "pro" or "forensics" person?" What would happen if Christie's or Sotheby's said: "Well, we think it's Picasso, but we have this certificate from someone who said they have this qualification and that degree, so you have to rely on them" before you plunked down twenty million on an oil painting? I believe that's an easy way to pass the buck and absolve ourself from any responsibility for selling anything...and it's especially helpful should the item be condemned as being unauthentic by anyone else, somewhere down the road. <br /><br />We're pretty liberal with returns - we take an honest approach and if, say, two legitimate dealers with extensive experience in the material questioned say the piece isn't authentic, we'll discuss the item with them, openly, and we'll certainly offer a full refund if it's not "right". We err on the side of caution. We're dealing with consignors, amny unknown to us, and we risk OUR money guaranteeing THEIR goods. <br /><br />Admittedly, we don't do a lot with baseball, rock, and modern Hollywood. Why? Because, frankly, they are the most pervasively forged fields in the business. But again, if we sell an item in ANY field that turns out to be "bad", the refund check goes out. And believe me, after selling 45,000+ lots over the years, it's inevitable. All of you dealers and auctioneers out there know that.<br /><br />Getting back to the subject at hand, a few weeks ago I viewed the items for sale at Coaches Corner in my field, including Marilyn Monroe items, John F. Kennedy letters, a Washington signature, and a number of other historic items. Can I tell you with ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CERTAINTY that they aren't authentic? Of course not - I wasn't there when the pen hit the paper. But would I take them on consignment, certificate or not? No chance, no way. But that's an decision I make as a businessman. And if a fellow dealer, auctioneer or customer approached me and asked me what I thought of them, I'd tell them. <br /><br />But there seems, somehow, to be a pattern here. There's a huge number of items in internet auctions, including Coaches Corner, that I would never, ever take on consignment. And I'm no baseball or rock expert, either. Am I too picky? Are you guys too picky? If not, perhaps "Glasses" as you call him, was right, and strong action might be called for. After all, $500 Washington signatures don't do me, or owners of other $5,000 Washington signatures, a lot of good.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>Well it is getting close to "Count down Morales". I am waiting with baited breath for his response. I know all are waiting as well. I know what it is to travel from Mongolia back to the United States. So i will be very benevolent as to give an extra 24 hours to "special agent in training "Morales. I am still waiting for CC and STAT as well. I will state this one more time. I will look forward to any and all law suits. I will also state for a fact that none of you have to set up a defense fund for me. This one is on me.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>J. McMurry</b><p>Hey guys,<br /><br /> I have posted here in the past and just "rediscovered" this forum. I think this is great, and badly needed. Everyone has made great points(except for the unheard subjects). The main point I stress is the same ol cliche, DO YOUR HOMEWORK, I've been collecting for 18 years now and still would not consider myself an expert, even though I spend HOURS reading, researching and asking questions of those I respect in the hobby. SCD can still provide interesting info when read,such as the following: CC ad touting Donald F. as the "best in the business", Ted T. listed as an employee of CC auctions, Ted T. writing letters to the editor defending CC against the HBO piece. The facts are there for everyone to see and make their own judgements. I would like to thank Shelly for faxing me a sample sheet of Marino autographs a while back, and his "fighting the good fight",but I also agree that it probably wouldnt be a good idea for him to get back into the hobby as a dealer. I would also like to thank Rich Simon, who I have purchased items from and who has also passed on some good info. Ron Keurajuan(sic?) has also been agreat help in the past,as has Keating and Spence. We need more guys like them to help out the little guy who loves the hobby ,but cant afford to drop $1,000 on a Ruth 3x5,etc. thanks guys.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>"I'll open by saying that it's my firm belief that any autograph auction house that will not guarantee its material, preferably for life, is simply not worth its salt"<br /><br />Bill,<br /><br />The following return policy applies to the most respected auction houses (listed below) in the sports memorabilia and autograph industry:<br /><br />ALL SALES FINAL<br /><br />Mastro<br />Lelands<br />Hunt Auctions<br />Sothebys<br /><br /><br />They will not listen to a differing opinion and all sales are final. I don't blame them myself. I think the named companies are worth their salt.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Corey R. Shanus</b><p>I strongly suspect that with those four named auction houses if you gave them CONCLUSIVE (e.g., scientific testing of the paper or ink) PROOF that the signature is not genuine and that you didn't wait an unreasonably long time to present your claim to them, that they would work something out with you.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>Bill - if you don't mind the question - how many returns have you processed? It seems to me your return policy is entirely in your control since they have to be 2 "well qualified" experts (which you get to define) and even if they both say it's questionable, you still require your company to agree that it is "bad" before you process a refund. On paper you have a refund policy, but I question if it really is one.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Corey,<br /><br /> I purchase a signed item from one of the above "ALL SALES FINAL" companies and I receive the JSA and PSA letter with the item. I take it to a big show where Richard Simon, Kevin Keating, Jim Stinson and Mike Guttierrez all say "no good". You will not receive a return. It is rare to ever have "conclusive" evidence that you speak of.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>John - This is from Lelands Auctions catalog, I believe that they do have a return policy. And you would not get a JSA or PSA letter from Lelands, except on a rare occasion when the consignor might have had one.<br /><br />-<br />Lelands stands by the authenticity of everything it sells for a period of three years from the date of the auction. It is up to the client to verify authenticity within that period of time. However, Lelands and its agents will be the final determinant of the authenticity of each and every piece it sells. We are not bound by the opinion of grading services, outside authenticators, or so-called experts. Letters of authenticity are only available for those pieces where "LOA" is listed in the catalogue copy. Otherwise, your invoice and that alone will serve as your letter of authenticity. <br />--<br /><br />I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Corey R. Shanus</b><p>"I purchase a signed item from one of the above "ALL SALES FINAL" companies and I receive the JSA and PSA letter with the item. I take it to a big show where Richard Simon, Kevin Keating, Jim Stinson and Mike Guttierrez all say "no good". You will not receive a return. It is rare to ever have "conclusive" evidence that you speak of."<br /><br />In the instance you describe I agree. Returns will not be forthcoming by merely substituting one opinion for another. However, in those rare instances you are basing your claim on hard facts (e.g. scientific testing or the confession of a forger that he forged your document), then I think to maintain customer goodwill the auction house will in good faith try to work something out with you. <br /><br />Some of this is not far-fetched. I remember reading of on-going investigations of people who are alleged to have forged documents from famous Americans. It is conceivable that as part of some plea bargain there will be admissions as to specific documents forged, at which point I would expect current owners to press claims.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>DJ</b><p>First off, I think Mr. Jaffe should be commended for starting this thread and having the balls to be so outspoken. I'm hoping that this thread just doesn't die and we all treat it like a family gathering and simply leave the get together to perhaps promise in five years, to get together again. I think we are all anxiously awaiting Mr. Morales' entrance back into the country and I'm pretty sure the STAT team won't be entering the hostile arena, which is this Forum. <br /><br />Especially since "glasses" updated his/her site to add a NASA piece which STAT Authenticated. They seem to have a A LOT of complete NASA pieces each month and the NASA pieces usually sell for "NADA" of what it should. SpaceCollect site (or is it Nasa Collect) had a thread running about this time last year on an Armstrong ball that the Coach's team claimed they (actually a consignor) got directly from walking up to Neil's house. You know Neil, he LOVES to sign. <br /><br />No he doesn't. He's borderline impossible. <br /><br />It was mentioned above about great sellers guaranteeing "for life" an item and EVERY seller should stand behind their opinion with an open mind that if a more respected person believes something to be false, they should gather their ego and pride, offer a refund and junk the piece. Too many times there is a heated debate, an argument, stubborness and eventually a respected friendship has gone South. In saying that, Lelands rocks. <br /><br />Also a mention of Ron K. Ron K. has an AMAZING piece up on Autographalert.com on the rather difficult signature of Mordecai Brown. He was a great writer for SCD, but SCD let him go...because his honest articles about baseball subjects (analyzing autographs) were upsetting the advertisers. Yet another reason for the public to turn their back on this once prominent hobby periodical.<br /><br />DJ <br /><br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>J. McMurry</b><p>Yep,<br />The Ron K. articles are the only things I've ever cut out and saved from past issues of SCD.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Bill Panagopulos</b><p>Still love this string...<br /><br />John, I see that Mastro accepts no returns on autographs at all, Hunt will with a dissenting opinion within 60 days, Lelands declares it is the final arbiter of any dispute, and Sotheby's, contrary to your post, will refund your purchase price against good evidence that an items is a forgery (I know - I've tested the system). It's vitally important that bidders READ and UNDERSTAND the terms of sale and any implied warrantees PRIOR to bidding. Of course, how these houses guarantee their material has absolutely nothing to do with how I guarantee my material. I didn't mean to say these companies are not trustworthy, not legitimate, or anything else negative. Perhaps you misunderstood what I was trying to say. What I meant to say was that an auctioneer that guarantees his material for the life of the buyer obviously has a lot more on the table, money-wise and reputation-wise, than one who is free and clear once the hammer come down. But everyone is free to run their business any way they choose...<br /><br />Matt - to answer your question, in all honesty, I think I've processed perhaps two hundred or so returns in all of the lots I've sold. The majority of those were returned because of differences in how we described the item's condition. Now, our stated policy of "two well qualified" should have been stated as "mutually acceptable", though to skeptics the effect is the same. But, believe it or not, we make our money on repeat customers, not the one or two we could, if we were so disposed, cheat out of a lousy couple hundred dollars. A good reputation travels at a snail's pace, a bad reputation travels at the speed of light. In actuality, if there is a good, reasonable, supportable doubt that an item is bad, it's out and the refund check gets put in the mail. Who wants an argument? Frankly, we don't need the money THAT badly. But of course, if an item IS real, and three or four PADA members or an equal number of qualified experts stand by it (NOT forensic experts, STAT, et al), then we have to defend the interests of our consignors. Ethically that's our obligation. <br /><br />Also, bear in mind I deal with historic Americana, not baseball. Baseball "cuts" and signed balls don't use parchment or fancy metal type or watermarked paper. Baseball forgers only have to go to eBay, buy old baseballs (and think about tracking some of those buyers, fellas!), and slap black ink on a dirty old baseball. Easy!<br /><br />And DK - the site is collectspace.com. A great watchdog over space forgeries.<br /><br />This string is getting tons of publicity. Don't delude yourselves thinking you'll ever hear from Chris Morales. Doubt he ever set foot in Mongolia...maybe the Vince Lombardi Rest Area on the Jersey Turnpike...<br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I would like to thank DJ for the nice things he said about me. <br />Now is the time for Mr. Morales to show up and make his case. I will be posting some interesting new things about Mr. Morales in the next few days. I really hope that someone on here makes sure he gets all the info. The same goes for the two geniuses at STAT. Come on boys show us just how smart you are.<br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>J. McMurry</b><p>Question for you Auction guys.<br /><br /> Have you ever had a return come back that was damaged or tampered with by the buyer? <br /><br />If so, what did / would you do?<br /><br />Thanks

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>As I said to you last night there would be more about Mr. Morales. Well here it is.<br />Sir<br /> <br />This is to confirm the telephone conversation held on Wednesday February 13, 2008 at approximately 12 Noon regrading employment of Christopher Morales. We have no record of Christopher Morales ever being employed by the Department of Forensic Science at George Washington University. Further, part time faculty, currently referred to as Professorial Lecturers do not serve as advisor's to students. It is our understanding that Mr. Morales was a student here. Though we offer in course in questioned document examination, it does not qualify an attendee to become a document examiner. Question document examination is a field that requires on the job training, of approximately two years in a specialized laboratory before an individual is qualified to become a certified document examiner.<br /> <br />Professionals in the field belong to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, in the Question Document Section and many are diplomats of the American Board of Forensic Document Examination. Checking the 2007 membership directory of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences indicates that Christopher Morales is a member of the General Section. According to the AAFS web site document examination is not within that concentration, before the creation of the digital evidence section this year, computer crime investigators, image enhancement specialists and forensic computer specialists were in that section. Professor Vincze our Director of the High Technology Crime Investigation was in that section. She has since been moved to Digital Evidence. Thus, there is no indication from membership in the AAFS that Mr. Morales has specialized credentials what would justify his identification as a document examiner.<br /> <br />This is the information that I can provide you at this time. Please feel free to contact me should you have further questions.<br /> <br />M. Schanfield, Ph.D.<br />Professor and Chair<br />Department of Forensic Science-GWU<br /><br />Perhaps now we will hear from the silent Mr. Morales<br /> <br />This is directly from his own web site.<br /><br />Faculty Advisor and Adjunct Faculty Member, Forensic Science Department, George Washington University (GWU) I served as an adjunct professor in both the graduate Forensic Science and Security Management programs. I also served a term as advisor for the security management graduate degree students.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Gene Palmer</b><p>The plot thickens. This would make a good Seinfeld episode.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>To quote an old line from the TV show Laugh In:<br /><br />"verrrrrrry interesting"<br /><br />--<br /><br />I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Al Simeone</b><p>Shelly,<br />Keep digging! It looks to me that no one is throwing the dirt over the top of you now! You have made so great points. And hit some nerves along the way. And Jodi wanted this thread deleted! Shame Jodi Shame!!

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>The letter from the GWU prof. is interesting. What's so strange is that I did exactly what Shelly did, a few months back, called GWU to confirm Morales credentials. I was given completely different information. I spoke to the dean of the department's secretary who indeed confirmed his previous employment with GWU. They even told me exactly when he taught there. If my memory is correct, they said he was there as an adjunct faculty member between 92 thru 97 or 98. She said he advised in 1997 (I may be off one year). Strange indeed. The woman was helpful and even offered to send me an old faculty book with him listed in it. I declined. If I were in his shoes, I'd be on the phone with this guy.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>This is the kind of emails I get everyday from people that can't stand the truth.<br />Jailbird,<br />Quick this is an emergency!!! Make a post! Our thread is dying! Spread more lies like the last one about Morales background.<br />Fellow ******* Simple Simon<br />I guess the head of Forensic Science at GWU has to lie for me. By the way his email is Paxcalm@aol.com <br /> <br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Al Simeone</b><p>Looks to me that another phone call is in order to GWU. Sounds like the right hand didnt know what the left hand was doing!!!

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>That is not true. The head of both departments have said that Mr Morales did not teach there. The right hand has proof the left hand has a secretary.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>There comes a time to throw up your hands and say enough. I have done more to find out the truth about these guys than anyone on this site. Know I am called out by some one who talked to a secretary. You can believe the head of a Department or John.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>John - The letter I posted on this thread came from the Chairman of the Department of Forensic Science at GWU, Dr. M. Schanfield.. Don't you think he would know if Mr Morales had been on the faculty?<br />In addition I spoke to Dr. Eva Vincze who was the head of the department at the time Mr Morales was supposed to be there. She has no knowledge of him.<br />I sent Mr Morales' resume, by e mail, to Dr Vincze and Dr. Schanfield.<br />I also spoke to Barbara and Shondra in the registrars office. I also spoke to people in Human Resources and payroll. They confirmed the information, pertaining to Mr Morales' employment, that is in the letter from Dr. Schanfield.<br />I am very curious, John, why you were investigating Mr Morales. Were you suspicious of Mr Morales? If so, what specifically made you suspicious? Serious autograph collectors don't buy items with his COA. You are a serious autograph collector/dealer. Would you buy items with his COA? If you would not, then why were you investigating him, instead of just ignoring him?<br />Why did you settle for talking to a secretary? Why didn't you pursue this further if you were so interested in Mr. Morales? Why didn't you post this information in this thread earlier?<br />Did that secretary tell you that "there is no indication from membership in the AAFS that Mr. Morales has specialized credentials what would justify his identification as a document examiner." Well, the head of the department wrote that to me in the letter I posted earlier.<br />I talked to two department heads and several others in the school. Is that the way you conduct an investigation, by talking to a secretary, when department heads are available to talk to? Are you saying that two department heads gave me false information?<br />Perhaps you can check with people in the school again. They were all very helpful to me. <br />Check again, with the school, and post your findings here.<br />John, I consider what I did to be very thorough and complete. Do you really think that you did the same? Do you think for one second that the heads of two departments at GWU would lie?<br />Do you think that you used due diligence in your investigation?<br />Perhaps you should just allow Mr Morales to defend himself here. After all, that is why I started this thread. I will say this again don't you think if this is a lie that Morales can come on this site and defend himself?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Al Simeone</b><p>I believe you Shelly and the head of the Dept.Thats why I think another call might be in order.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Bill Panagopulos</b><p>Shelly,<br /><br />I have to assume that the message you posted is one that you received either via email or snail mailand is transcribed verbatim, versus something you heard over a telephone line. If that's correct, and the source of the email/letter can was verified, you pretty much have a bulletproof piece of evidence. And If I had to choose between your (written) account and a recollection of a telephone conversation a year ago with a secretary of a dean..well, there's no question which one holds more sway.<br /><br />In my eyes, looks like misrepresentation. But I'm no lawyer. Maybe a real tort lawyer could fill us in.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Shelly-I don't think anyone is lying to you, just misinformed. The woman I spoke with was very detailed. She supplied those years of employment to me in a matter of two calls. I initially contacted them because I was told that his website and resume was not accurate. I contacted Krause. They did not care. Once they confirmed that he was there in the 90's, I dropped the ball and didn't pursue it any further. Krause told me to get back with them if I had factual info. At hat point, i had nothing to give them. I wouldn't call my two phone calls an investigation by any means but I believe what I was told...she had to much exact information. Has anyone called him or emailed him the letter you have?

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>Called who?

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p><br />John, I would think that a man of Morales stature would be able to defend himself. I do appreciate your concern that two heads of the department that he worked for don't remember him or that Human Recourses and the Payroll department have no record of him. I think that they are really open for a law suit if what they are e mailing me is not true. At this point I have to trust what they have told and e mailed me. If Morales worked for GW he should have proof. If he has such proof let him post it on his own website. I notice that he post some of his credentials on site so adding a few more is no problem. I will trust the head of two departments before I trust a person you talked to.<br />More important whether worked he there or not is the fact he is not a qualified hand writing expert. That was stated by the current department head. <br />Now it is your turn. Show me proof that all these people are wrong.<br /> <br />What is most important in all of this is the following statement.<br /> <br /> there is no indication from membership in the AAFS that Mr. Morales has specialized credentials what would justify his identification as a document examiner. I feel that this is where the truth comes out. Is he qualified to be an expert. If so why is he not rated so by the AAFS.<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>If anyone on here has Morales email site I would love to have it I can’t find it on his web site. I want to make sure that this thread reaches him. <br /><br />I also want to bring out a strange coincidence. When I fist started this tread it was interrupted by Micah telling all of you how bad a person I am. . It turns out that Micah’s employer was John. Now that I have evidence against Morales it is strange to see that Mr. Morales has another defender. I don’t want to say that this is strange but I will. It is no other but John. I think it is time for John to step down and let Morales state his case. I am tired of Three Card Monte. <br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>John, you did not mention in your first post that you talked to the person a least two times. You also did not mention the persons name. I know when I called the first thing I did is ask who I am talking to. I am sure that tomorrow you will be able to give us her name telephone number and who she works for.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>stefan</b><p>i would like to stand by jodi birkholm as he the most knowledgeable autograph expert i know. anything he says as far a im concerned is legitate he is by far the most expireneced person i know when it comes to weird autos and the best part is he knows half the people personally great guy and i agree with him 100% percent. no dis on anyone else in the game but he knows his stuff

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>If you are looking for his email, it appears to be here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.moralesforensics.com/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.moralesforensics.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />========================<br />Re: Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales February 13 2008, 11:30 PM <br /><br /><br />If anyone on here has Morales email site I would love to have it I can’t find it on his web site. I want to make sure that this thread reaches him. <br /><br />I also want to bring out a strange coincidence. When I fist started this tread it was interrupted by Micah telling all of you how bad a person I am. . It turns out that Micah’s employer was John. Now that I have evidence against Morales it is strange to see that Mr. Morales has another defender. I don’t want to say that this is strange but I will. It is no other but John. I think it is time for John to step down and let Morales state his case. I am tired of Three Card Monte. <br />============================ <br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>J. McMurry</b><p>The following is from Morale's web site:<br /><br />An Open Challenge <br />"As noted herein, I will meet anyone in a public forum to review and assess my work efforts. Since private communications are often cherry picked to bolster a point of view, at times misdirecting the facts, it is my position that any meetings and communications be conduct in the open. If anyone desires to contact me concerning an open forum, please do not hesitate to call, email or otherwise contact me at anytime." <br /><br /><br /> Good opportunity here Mr. Morales, to come in and discuss the above.<br /><br /><br /><br />Note to Chris,<br /> Forensic examiners had nothing to do with the down fall of Shelly, everyone who read the book knows it was Wayne Bray turning informer.<br />

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Shelly,<br /><br />I woke up this morning and was surprised at the tone of your posts. I am not a defender of Morales. I do not know him. I would love as much as you do see him come on this site and answer questions that have been asked. This is what gets me:<br /><br />"I also want to bring out a strange coincidence. When I fist started this tread it was interrupted by Micah telling all of you how bad a person I am. . It turns out that Micah’s employer was John. Now that I have evidence against Morales it is strange to see that Mr. Morales has another defender. I don’t want to say that this is strange but I will. It is no other but John."<br /><br />If you go back and read my first post, I started by saying I was the former employeer of Micah. You have a hightened sense of paranoia it seems. If you read Micah's posts, he is not a defender of Morales. He had a personal problem with you that I felt was amicably resolved by me stepping in. <br /><br />In life, you attract a lot more bees with honey. I would love to see Morales and STAT come here and have open, educated dialogue as much as anyone. I just don't think that will happen if there is false information posted. It gives them ammo to not come on here. <br /><br />I emailed Morales this morning and left a phone message. I copied and pasted the letter from the prof. at GWU so, let's see what happens.<br /><br />I don't have a name and number of who I spoke with. It was a simple call. I introduced myself, said I was calling to verify employment for a poential employee. I gave the woman Morales' name. She called me back a day or two later and gave me the information I posted earlier. I do not keep phone logs of names or numbers. It was a simple phone call and I thought nothing more of it until I read the post. I can't imagine that someone would have had such detailed information and offered to send me an old alumni directory with his name in it. <br /><br />I didn't mean to rain on your parade and was only posting what I found in my own call. My initial call was made because I was told by another major authenticator that Morales never worked for the Secret Service. I called Krause and spoke my concerns about CC and Morales. They were not interested to hear rumors and asked to call back with any factual information. After my call to GWU, I lost interest in the matter. <br /><br />Shelly, you and I had this conversation on the phone about my client not being able to get funds back from CC. I told you how I got involved. This call between us was two weeks ago. Remember????

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Shelly-<br />I received an immediate response from Morales. This is his response.<br /><br /><br /><br />"Mr. Rogers -<br /><br />Thank you for bringing the matter to my attention. <br /><br />I understand your concerns, and concur with you statements. I have, indeed, worked at GWU, and have made contact with the University to correct the matter.<br /><br />The individual who wrote the letter was not at the University while I was there, and up until his note, I had never heard of him.<br /><br />I will forward you any response I get from the University once I receive it. For now, I am attaching my GWU faculty id card and a copy of my 1997 1099 from GWU. For security purposes, I have not included my ssn or salary."<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/Jrscards/?action=view¤t=Agwu-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/Jrscards/Agwu-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1203168232.JPG"> <br /><br />edited scan size

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I stand by the letter that was sent to me by the head of the department where he said he worked. I would be interested in just where he preformed his duties. <br />I wrote on this thread exactly what was told to me by GWU. If they where wrong in what they told me I will retract my statements. I will wait to hear from Mr Morales. I will say this again, John this thread was for Morales and STAT. I answered his questions that he had on his site. He personally has yet to come forward. I think it is his time to come on here and present his case and not have some one else do it for him.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>john</b><p>Shelly,<br /><br />I would love to see STAT, CC, and Morales all come on here. I made that clear in my email to him.

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>J. McMurry</b><p>Dang! It would take me a month to dig up an 11yr old 1099, if I had one at all.<br /><br /> Should Mr. Morales be judged more on his Resume, or his overall body of work as related to autograph authenication?

Open letter to STAT and Christopher Morales
 

Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>J McMurry, I must tell you that you are wrong about the Forensic experts. They where the cause for my being arrested. Let me tell you why. When all of this started we had no idea how important it would be to get things authenticated. After we found Prouty(forensic document service), Fragaipani,AAU and others to authenticate our garbage it became easy to sell them. When the market became flooded with these items Wayne heard that the FBI was about to make a bust on the operation. He decided that it was time to go to the FBI and protect himself. So it was the forensic experts that caused me to be arrested.