Honus Wagner Card Case Plea Deal Rejected Again by U.S. Judge

[calvindog]

Maybe Bill needs to get his priest involved. Or steal less?

PS kudos to the federal prosecutor who is now in the laughable position of twice being accused by a federal judge of being too soft on fraud.

[wonkaticket]

Dang beat me to the Priest comment.

[Leon]

Probably should have tried for 31 months this time. I am surprised the defense and prosecutor didn't have the judge's thinking more in tune.

[g_vezina_c55]

I am not familiar with US justice... according to your Law rules... how many time of jail Bill mastro is admisible with all these charges ?

Many years of jail ?

The Bill Mastro history is a verry sad history. I will try to explain my idea. This guy had all the potential, the knowledge,the expertise, for do a great positive and honnest career in this hobby .... but he choose at some time in his life to take the wrong way . I don t know this guy personnally but with all the read i made about Mastro i think this guy is a verry smart guy... but he decided to use his mind to criminal thing...
verry sad.

[calvindog]

If you were victimized by Bill Mastro and want the judge to know the truth about what he's done -- or perhaps you disagree with his lawyer's contention that you weren't defrauded in his auctions because everyone knew Mastro auctions were crooked -- please let the judge know via letter. The judge's address is:

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

Make sure you note the name of the case and case number: United States v. William Mastro, No. 12 CR 567-1 (N.D. Ill.)

[Peter_Spaeth]

I was not defrauded because the item I won subsequently went up in value.

[g_vezina_c55]

I never bid or buy on any item he has for sale. I don't know this guy.
I only read on the internet about it.

[Jewish-collector]

I don't understand the legal stuff, either. What's the short version on what exactly will happen to Bill Mastro ?

[martindl]

Originally Posted by calvindog

If you were victimized by Bill Mastro and want the judge to know the truth about what he's done -- or perhaps you disagree with his lawyer's contention that you weren't defrauded in his auctions because everyone knew Mastro auctions were crooked -- please let the judge know via letter. The judge's address is:

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

Make sure you note the name of the case and case number: United States v. William Mastro, No. 12 CR 567-1 (N.D. Ill.)

Thanks for posting this Jeff. I am absolutely going to let the judge know my thoughts. Whether I was victimized I'll never know (I am assuming all records of shilling are long gone) but I bought more than a few things that ended at my max bid.
Question. This is for mastronet.com purchases only correct? What wre they called before mastronet, my memory is failing me.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Back in the day I believe they were Mastro Fine Auctions and Mastro&Steinbach before that?

[whitehse]

So from a novice point of view, this obviously means the judge doesnt agree with this plea agreement and they have to go back and re-negotiate? Is this what I am reading?

I just wonder what the quote from the judge “I’m not sure what I’m getting into, so I’m not getting into it,” really means.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by whitehse

I just wonder what the quote from the judge “I’m not sure what I’m getting into, so I’m not getting into it,” really means.

Andrew,

I was scratching my head on the judge's quote too. Doesn't the fact that he REJECTED the plea indicate he at least sort-of knows what he's getting into (by not thinking the plea was "correct") and that he IS getting into it by making the decision to reject it? Unless it is something legalese that I don't get.

[atx840]

[wonkaticket]

Chris, priceless one of the best laughs this year!

[Ease]

Chris B. that is fantastic! Made my day.

[Exhibitman]

I read the brief the prosecution filed in support of its sentencing recommendation. For anyone interested, here it is:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/ite...stro-plea-deal

The brief notes that in many instances Mastro 'won' the lot and returned it to inventory of either Mastro Auctions or himself [I assume for the items he owned personally]. What was not clear to me is how those results were analyzed. To me, as a reporter of auction outcomes in my boxing price guide, I see a completely fake sale as more damaging to the hobby as a whole than shilling up a real bidder since it sets a fake price point for an item.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I read the brief the prosecution filed in support of its sentencing recommendation. For anyone interested, here it is:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/ite...stro-plea-deal

The brief notes that in many instances Mastro 'won' the lot and returned it to inventory of either Mastro Auctions or himself [I assume for the items he owned personally]. What was not clear to me is how those results were analyzed. To me, as a reporter of auction outcomes in my boxing price guide, I see a completely fake sale as more damaging to the hobby as a whole than shilling up a real bidder since it sets a fake price point for an item.

It seems as though The document says I, as a bidder, should have known there was shill bidding and fraud going on so it's partially my fault. What a bunch of BULLSH!@. How about I reach into their pockets and just take money from them.....I consider that to be stealing.