Sad but true - collecting addiction

[raulus]

Just read this story, which I guess highlights some of the perils of getting a little too addicted when it comes to our chosen hobby:

Ex-federal investigator lost job after baseball-card addiction led him to moonlight as Amazon and Uber driver

Sean Nelson’s collecting led him to financial ruin and almost blew up his marriage; now he has been sentenced for using his government car for sideline gigs.

It’s a cautionary tale for anyone whose collecting habit has maybe gotten a bit out of hand.

A former federal agent blew up his career after getting caught using his government car to moonlight as an Amazon and Uber driver to help sustain his baseball-card addiction.

Sean M. Nelson, 44, of Mesa, Ariz., was sentenced this week to two years probation and ordered to pay back $134,000 the government argued he had misappropriated by working his sideline gigs while on the job.

Nelson had been a special agent for the Department of Homeland Security for more than a decade in Arizona when his finances and marriage began falling into ruin due to his out-of-control habit of buying baseball cards, court documents said.

Psychologists classify uncontrollable collecting as a type of behavioral addiction, similar to compulsive gambling, eating, video game playing, shopping or sex addiction. An addiction to collecting could manifest itself in the buying of anything from fine art to model trains.

Starting in 2019, Nelson began working on the side delivering packages for Amazon and driving passengers for services like Uber and Lyft to help pay off his spiraling credit card debts, the documents said.

The financial strain from his collecting habit put heavy pressure on his marriage and led him and his wife to attend couple’s counseling, the records showed.

Federal prosecutors say that over the next two years, Nelson, a father of four, regularly worked his other jobs while he was on the clock as an investigator, during which time he frequently used his government-issued car to deliver packages and ferry ride-share passengers. He also had the government pay for the gas.

He was charged in October and pleaded guilty right away to a charge of theft of government property, court records show. As part of his plea, Nelson agreed to resign from his post.

“As a result of the conviction, Mr. Nelson has forfeited much of his salary during the time period of his on-the-job criminal activity, and as a federal felon he’ll never lawfully possess or use a firearm ever again,” said Gary Restaino, the U.S. attorney for Arizona. “His dereliction of duty was a grave disservice to his hard-working law enforcement colleagues and the taxpayers alike.”

Before joining the Department of Homeland Security in 2010, Nelson had previously worked as a federal air marshal, a federal and Arizona prison guard and had served in the Air Force, during which he spent time in Iraq.

“No one knew the hobby of collecting would turn into an addiction,” his mother wrote in a letter to the judge. “He is willing to pay the fine and has the support of all of his family. He has already lost his job and his pension… . Please do not punish him any more.”

A message left with Nelson’s attorney wasn’t immediately returned.

[ullmandds]

it's only cardboard for crying out loud!!!

[Leon]

That takes it to a new level.
.

[ncinin]

There are some screwed up people in the world.

I have two different show customers literally tell me that if it wasn't for cards they would have nothing to live for. Another told a friend of mine if he couldn't go to shows he would rather die.

Some people have problems.

[Johnny630]

For as much as you may love the cards the cards don't know you own them.

[brian1961]

I understand. I've been a collector most of my life. For me, without God's help, it can turn into a compulsion. The mind can always seem to find a "logical" reason to pursue a collectible that has struck your fancy. If left unchecked, the mind will create an illusion that the said collectible must not be lost to another! You can get so worked up about it, and believe your collection would be so inferior without buying the object.

The insidious part is that ONCE YOU BUY IT, the feelings of elation almost immediately vaporize, and you're left with an unspeakable emptiness. The cure, so to speak?

Begin looking for something else.

As I said, I understand, but with that, as Leon Luckey aptly surmised, "That takes it to a new level." I'm sure it has hit him as a ton of bricks what he has lost. Hopefully, his family will forgive him and stand with him. Yes, he needs to get some counseling. However, right now he has to pay back a lot of money, and find a job unlike what he was doing. At 44, this will not be easy.

He'll probably need to sell some of the things he collected, but with what's happened to him, he may not want to look at them any more, or at least not for a long time.

This is a sad case, and one in which we should all look at closely, AS WELL AS LOOK AT OURSELVES. I know I sure am.

I will qualify one thing. There are many things I've purchased / won at auction for which my elation lasted long after I got the item in the mail. If one of those things comes to mind, I get all excited again. THAT'S WHEN i KNOW I REALLY WANTED THE ITEM IN A POWERFUL WAY, AND HAVE NO REGRETS. You just gotta be sure before you buy or fight for an item in an auction. Nevertheless, again, this is a very sad case, and illustrates in a horrifying way what can happen if you allow your possessions, or "gotta have it desirables", possess you. --- Brian Powell

[Smarti5051]

I love that this guy's life is ruined because he used the "company car" to make some Amazon deliveries while "on the clock." Ostensibly, he was otherwise doing a satisfactory job during his tenure or he would have been fired. Meanwhile, there are guys blatantly stealing from cars and stores in California with ZERO risk of consequences, and online fraudsters that are stealing millions from citizens with ZERO consequences. We don't have the resources to deal with those wrongdoers. But prosecuting a moonlighter with a shopping addiction is a public necessity.

This guy's actions are probably no different than about a million other US employees. If any other employer had discovered their employee was engaging in the same conduct, he would just be let go or given a written warning. But this guy, because it is a federal job, has his life ruined. Seems like an overreach to me. Termination plus an agreement not to seek further government employment seems like a more appropriate punishment.

[Snapolit1]

I always used to read about women with shopping addictions who had closets full of 100s of pairs of expensive shoes and outfits they had to buy yet have never worn once. I think collecting cards can easily lapse for some people into that.

The dopamine rush of the chase and the "win" [such an odd term for agreeing to pay more for something than anyone else; a "win"; does anyone say I "won" this new house?]

We used to have people on the board, quite a few of them in fact, waxing poetic about the smell of a certain catalog arriving at their front door. And the feeling of hearing it hit the ground on their steps. Yes, there are signs of addiction/compulsive behavior all over this board, whether people want to acknowledge it or not.

Many of us have had the feeling of something arriving at the house and (a) having no recollection with it is and then (b) opening it and wondering why in the world. . . .

[bnorth]

I will say I have had a problem before. Back when those darn serial numbered and different shiny cards came out I HAD to have them all. Seriously I would spend hours everyday trying to track down ALL the Wade Boggs versions.

Luckily for me I realized how beyond crazy it was. I then sold all them and never looked back. Now if I see one super cheap I will buy it but no more having to have anything.

There are at least 2 members on here with a serious problem. I told both to never even consider buying from me again. I don't mind waiting for a payment once in a while but when it takes several days to weeks with every purchase there is a problem.

[Northviewcats]

I think Brian really nailed it when he described the problem with all addictions when he wrote:

"The mind can always seem to find a "logical" reason to pursue a collectible [or any desire for that matter] that has struck your fancy. If left unchecked, the mind will create an illusion that the said collectible must not be lost to another! You can get so worked up about it,and believe your collection would be so inferior without buying the object. The insidious part is that ONCE YOU BUY IT, the feelings of elation almost immediately vaporize, and you're left with an unspeakable emptiness."

Brian's words remind me so much of a family member, who is addicted to gambling. The guilt, the lies, the loss, the frustration. It is so painful to see him struggle after he has fallen back into his addiction.

I agree that if you start to feel that deep feeling of regret after making purchases, that it is a good sign to question whether or not you are addicted to the hobby.

I hope that no one here is struggling with it.

Best regards,

Joe

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Smarti5051

there are guys blatantly stealing from cars and stores in California with ZERO risk of consequences, and online fraudsters that are stealing millions from citizens with ZERO consequences.

Not true, at least in LA. The LAPD and LASD have been doing a great job running down these gangs of store busters. There have been a ton of arrests of the raiders and the fences buying the stolen merchandise.

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Hopefully the New Card Raffle Set Break thing is just a fad and not commonplace.

One of the things I find most concerning about modern card breaks and some of the forms of sale on platforms like whatnot is that they are indistinguishable from casino games. I've seen whatnot sellers use gambling devices to award prizes, and all of the random slot assignment programs that breakers use are indistinguishable from slot machines, which are just random number generators with bells and whistles.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by ncinin

There are some screwed up people in the world.

I have two different show customers literally tell me that if it wasn't for cards they would have nothing to live for. Another told a friend of mine if he couldn't go to shows he would rather die.

Some people have problems.

This and it has only gotten worse in the last 3 years.

My fear about gambling in sports has split over in card collecting. It seems like everything is a craps shoot.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

This has only gotten worse in the last 3 years.

My fear of gambling in sports has split over into card collecting. It seems like everything is a crap shoot.

Gambling has a strong hold on most of the sports industry as a whole right now. Every sporting event you listen to on the radio or watch on TV is loaded with sports book commercial advertising. They got them all warmed up with fantasy for a few years then statewide nationwide off sure Bookie/Betting. Now the vintage card industry with breaks ugh.

[5-Tool Player]

Originally Posted by Leon

That takes it to a new level.
.

+1

[Gorditadogg]

Yes, addiction can have serious consequences, and we shouldn't make light of it. People on this thread have spoken eloquently about the effects of card-buying addiction.

It's a shame it happened to that guy, but it is not that surprising it did.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by gorditadogg

yes, addiction can have serious consequences, and we shouldn't make light of it. People on this thread have spoken eloquently about the effects of card-buying addiction.

It's a shame it happened to that guy, but it is not that surprising it did.

Sent from my sm-s906u using tapatalk

100%

[RichMcGillicuddy]

"and as a federal felon he’ll never lawfully possess or use a firearm ever again" should have read
"and as a federal felon, he’ll never lawfully possess a baseball card ever again"

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by RichMcGillicuddy

"and as a federal felon he’ll never lawfully possess or use a firearm ever again" should have read
"and as a federal felon, he’ll never lawfully possess a baseball card ever again"

That part struck me as an odd flex. Plenty of people shouldn't own guns, but I don't think is guy is the type that people are concerned about.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

That part struck me as an odd flex. Plenty of people shouldn't own guns, but I don't think is guy is the type that people are concerned about.

Just some added LOOK AT ME they threw in there as all felons have their gun rights taken away. Some can later get them back.

[Eric72]

From Homeland Security to federal felon. Quite the fall from grace.

[mq711]

He misused $134,000 in taxpayer money and some people want to justify or excuse that behavior, I just don’t get it.

[todeen]

When I was seeing a counselor, my counselor and I had a couple rounds of her telling me I have an addiction, and I tell her I have made poor choices. My sessions usually end with my counselor blue in the face.

When I am extremely stressed, I make a poor choice because I need a break that isn't generally available any other way. When the stressful situation ends, so do my poor choices. My counselor tells me that's called falling off the wagon. I tell her I don't believe addiction is a disease, and I'm not going to make excuses for my poor choices, I might have addictive tendencies but I'm not addicted.

Thankfully my poor choices have never led to financial issues, health issues, or physical harm.

Sent from my SM-G9900 using Tapatalk

[gonefishin]

Phil - thanks for the clarification.

Bob - thanks for the assist.

Tony - thanks for your lifetime of service to our country.

Case closed, happy Sunday to all.

[ParisianJohn]

I wonder what type of cards he was buying. Hopefully not blowing it all on Wander Francos. I used to follow the main baseball card subreddit until this spring I was overwhelmed with posts of 5,000 different people all pulling a 1/1 of Wander. "This is the next '52 Topps Mantle!!".

If he was a pre-war collector then perhaps to pay off that $134K he can sell off some cards quickly at a low-rate to us.

Perhaps the federal government should invest money in pre-war cards.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Phil - thanks for the clarification.

Bob - thanks for the assist.

Tony - thanks for your lifetime of service to our country.

Case closed, happy Sunday to all.

Amen brother, well said!

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Phil - thanks for the clarification.

Bob - thanks for the assist.

Tony - thanks for your lifetime of service to our country.

Case closed, happy Sunday to all.

Well said to each and all; thank you for your kind words; and thank you too!

Not just on NET54, but on other sites also, I wish a separate topic folder would be created for Government/Politic discussions, where those who like to discuss (positive or negative) can go. We all know how those debates can turn ugly.

This thread was about a guy (he could have been in any job), who abused his position, for the sake of supporting his collecting habits. We can all agree that's not good, no matter what job he was in.

It would be good if we all could stay on topic, but even I have driven of course a time or two, so I get it. I just think when it comes to government/politics, it hits a nerve with many, depending on what or how something is being said. Heck, I have family members who haven't talked in years over it (UGH). I personally don't care to read anything relating to it either, so I will just move on next time.

Sorry Phil for taking your post wrong. My promise is that if I read any future comments relating negatively to government/politics, I will not respond. As we say in the military...Lesson Learned.

Ok, getting ready to watch some NFL Football, so enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Tony

[Exhibitman]

“There is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.”

“All Congresses and Parliaments have a kindly feeling for idiots, and a compassion for them, on account of personal experience and heredity.”

--Mark Twain

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies."

--Groucho

"In America, anyone can become president. That’s the problem."

"Bipartisan usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out."

"The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post 'Thou shalt not steal,' 'Thou shalt not commit adultery,' and 'Thou shalt not lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment."

"Everybody complains about politicians. Everybody says they suck. Well, where do people think these politicians come from? They don't fall out of the sky. They don't pass through a membrane from another reality. They come from American parents and American families, American homes, American schools, American churches, American businesses and American universities, and they are elected by American citizens. This is the best we can do folks. This is what we have to offer. It's what our system produces: Garbage in, garbage out."

--George Carlin

“Haven't you noticed that every time the government f-ks up McDonald's has a new sandwich?”

--Bill Burr

Thanks, you've been a great crowd. Enjoy Whitesnake.