Bill Mastro's upcoming sentencing
 

Mastro is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Guzman in federal court in Chicago in August. He will be receiving a sentence of most likely less than 30 months pursuant to his cooperation agreement with the government. The deal he has with the government requires him to pay back *zero* dollars in restitution to his victims. In addition, just today, Bill Boehm, Mastro's codefendant, received a sentence of three months house arrest for his actions in defrauding collectors who bid on Mastro auctions.

If anyone would like to write a letter directly to the judge expressing your feelings about Bill's conduct and his impact on our hobby, the sentence he is about to receive and the fact that you will not be receiving a penny in restitution despite the massive fraud he committed, now is nearing your last chance.

Address your letter to:

Judge Ronald A. Guzman
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

The case name is U.S. v. Mastro, 1:12-cr-00567.

Finally, it is also my understanding that Bill is presently reaching out to some high profile collectors and sending them happy little packages with some cards for their collections along with a happy note. As Bill never had a reputation for generosity, it is curious timing so close to his sentencing but that's just my opinion. Please don't let such a package deter you from telling the truth about Bill's negative impact on our hobby.

Such Shenanigans!!!

What does this bode for Doug and Mark?

unbelievable...the legal system is shit!!!!

Orange is the new black and "happy little packages" are the new steak dinner at the National. Hardly a surprise.

Rob Dewolf

Ha, you should see it up here...only thing worse is the postal service and our dental coverage plans.

sounds similar to down here!!!

I think most americans would agree the healthcare delivery system is "broken"...and in need of a major overhaul.

Can we say the same thing of the legal system?

Now that the National has been brought up, what is the over under on the first dealer to be arrested?

It's all about money. Agreed. Legal system my fay ##*king ass. Total home on all accounts. That goes for any legality.

Very cogent analysis.

Sir,
 

Please.... I'd like to have my nephew continue perusing this website.

Barry Arnold

What kind of an uncle are you?

Oh he's really a very classy guy Barry.

Rob D
 

since he is my great nephew, I would think that makes me a great uncle. :)

best,
barry

Peter S
 

many thanks, my good friend.
your generous compliment is very, very classy, as are you.

best,
Barry

How do we get from the sentencing recommendation of a single prosecutor to the entire system?

While we're off-topic, can we get Pete's take on the state of dental care?

Yes, that recent wisdom tooth case was right in Pete's area, a terrible tragedy and certainly hope it was not the result of any fault.

http://www.startribune.com/eden-prai...ion/307483751/

No more F bombs Josh... I have no idea what "total home" means but I guess either you are "safe or not" at home plate?...thanks

Bahhahaha. Sorry Leon won't happen again. I was out at home.

I am just curious what language you speak too? If you are out then how can you be at home? Were you in your backyard?

"Dudes on ludes should not drive"
-Spicoli

This incident was an unfortunate one...could have happened to any doctor from the sounds of it...

Jeff - So it sounds to me he might get a short sentence? At this point with all that has happened and now a sentencing, what do think he will get? When do you think Judge Guzman will actually make the decision (more of the mental process here, not the actual sentencing date) on the sentence?

The prosecutor is recommending less than 30 months (assuming Bill's cooperation was substantial) and he will pay back no money to his victims. As for the judge's decision, he will rely on a whole host of factors which include letters to the court from Bill's victims about their experiences with him and his general character.

What about Doug and Mark?

As I often do I had one too many pints last eve. This is how that comment came about. :D

It's pretty damn funny reading it today.

Just watch the F bombs and dirty language and you won't hear much from me. We try to keep it fairly clean so your 12 yrs old son or daughter (as an example not that you have a 12 yr old) could read the board. thanks

+1

We collectors are paying a high price for Mastro's cooperation.

Any idea what the specifics are regarding said cooperation?

Tom - it's "people" not Dudes. If you're going to quote Mr. Spicoli ... at least quote him accurately! :D

If I were a wronged party, I would care much more about restitution than length of sentence. It is like putting the cart before the horse. Why does this happen so frequently?

Gary, I think if you bid in their auctions you were a wronged party. I told Mastro's lawyer I expected restitution and an apology and I would think about a letter. Nothing has changed (except a small gift in the mail which was appreciated).

So he tried, in effect, to buy a favorable letter to the judge? Or was he just sending you a gift in a generous spirit?

He's not paying you restitution.

He sent you the gift in the mail to try to stop you from writing a letter to the court about his stealing from his friends -- solely because he doesn't want the judge to sentence him to a longer sentence.

Once he's sentenced and he doesn't need to manipulate you anymore the gifts in the mail will stop.

If someone tried to bribe or influence me with a gift, I would like to think I would return it.

I know Jeff. My views haven't changed concerning writing a letter. I have said AFTER restitution (it would have to be for all affected not just me) AND a public apology I would think about it. Since the first isn't going to happen I think it's analogous to arguing moot points with my wife. I am very practiced at it though.

Here's what Bill said about the letters to the judge written by his victims and the anger some of them have displayed:

"I have no idea where such resentment comes from but to date my judge has received 2 letters….2! I had over 30,000 people on our mailing list and 2 people wrote letters."

So Bill believes that his victims apparently approve of his criminal actions because they are not writing to the judge.

Why isn't restitution the first part of any judgement. If wronged, I would want to be compensated for that wrong. I couldn't care less if the party goes to jail or not.

Since letters are sometimes made public, and a certain HUGE fraudster with his own website might get them and twist them as he often does, maybe people don't want to speak out? I don't think anyone can guarantee a letter won't be made public, can they? (except the judge I guess)

Address your letter to:

Judge Ronald A. Guzman
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

The case name is U.S. v. Mastro, 1:12-cr-00567.

Pretty hard to calculate and administer in a case like this with so many bidders oand so many lots over so many years, I would imagine.

5 million dollar lifetime fine split over everyone that bid, just like a class action that has been awarded *(in layperson terms).....that is a start.

In a class action, to collect you typically have to submit a proof of claim. There is a whole administrative process. And there's no way every lot was shilled such that every bidder would have a claim.

Plus, he never would have plea bargained if it included a mutli million dollar award, is my guess.

I disagree completely. What was he going to do, go to trial?

But before we go back into pontificating about the ills of the legal system, can we again focus on the following:

if you wish to tell the judge your thoughts on Bill Mastro, good or bad, you should write to the judge because you will have no other opportunity to be heard on this matter. Complaining on Net 54 does not move the ball forward.

You are closer to it than I am fair enough, but why then didn't the prosecution insist on restitution?

Maybe the prosecutor got a gift in the mail.

You said no way, I gave a way. He is proven (I believe) to have shilled. My restitution may not be perfect but it seems better than what is being done.

Well yes he shilled but that does not mean every lot was shilled. So many bidders may not have been damaged at all.