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Posted By: <b>Bill Panagopulos</b><p>Josh - <br /><br />The reasons "nothing is being done" are multiple:<br /><br />a.) After setting forth their extensive "qualifications, all of these authenticators qualify their qualifications (!)by stating in some form or another, that their statements are "opinions", not guarantees. So, you simply cannot jail someone for being incredibly stupid or inept. But, if the trend shows utter incompetence, those who have purchased bad material do have recourse in civil court. Sellers of bad material oftem get around that by offering full or partial refunds to particulalry noisy customers, knowing that lawsuits are very expensive for customers to commence.<br /><br />b.) Many auction houses rely on the authenticator's certification, and will not offer refunds on goods so-authenticated. In those cases, bidders must be wary and make sure that the authenticators used by the house are competent and reputable.<br /><br />c.) Federal action is difficult to invoke, and slow in operation. That does not mean that they will not jump on a case if it shows widespread, interstate fraud on a say, $250,000+ scale. Experience proves that the more press covering a scandal, the more likely the Feds will jump in to investigate. <br /><br />So...as I stated above - contact the press, anyone you know, who might cover the story. Feel free to ask for experts here. There are plenty of assets available to provide statements and testimony. Also, feel free to complain to Attorneys General of various states, such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, your own state, and wherever bad material is sold. <br /><br />