Mastro Results: Proof of Shilling or other factors at play?

[Archive]

Posted By: CoreyRS.hanus

Up until the developments at the National, all of the discussion/speculation revolved around Mastro. What the ultimate outcome of that one will be whether indictments are issued and their ultimate disposition. In the interim, there has been no shortage of speculation how in the end their auctions will be impacted.

An interesting parallel is now seemingly PSA has been added to the investigation. I'd heard the Feds were interested in looking into the consequences of their cozy relationship with auction houses. However, that was the first time I read that the Feds were also looking to get an education about card doctoring. In fact, the article's specific reference to a person the FBI interviewed at the National as a card doctorer suggests that the Feds' interest in that person pertains less to what he might provide about shill bidding and more to what he might tell them about card doctoring. Any thoughts therefore what the implications could be to both PSA as a company and to the value of their slabbed cards if they be convicted of either (1) intentionally overlooking altered cards or (2) having more lenient grading standards on submissions from favorite customers (e.g., major auction houses).