Response to Allegations

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Dan, I hear your point but I guess I don't know enough about the writer to pass judgement. I guess what I am having a hard time understanding is why would anyone just be against the entire hobby in all its forms? It's not like the vintage card and memorabilia industry is poisoning our drinking water. And now I'm being accused of perhaps having some sort of ulterior motive which is ludicrous. I've spent a ton of cash at auction houses and have never had a problem. What I am biased against, however, is fraud. Simply put, I don't like being defrauded. I brought this article up simply because of the allegations of fraud which I thought were important enough to be aired out here - isn't that what this forum is for? I was somewhat taken aback by some of the responses that seemingly ignored the fact that a law enforcement official stated on the record that Mastro was involved in fraud - and instead blamed the writer of the article for simply reporting what was told to him, on the record, by on the record sources. O'Keefe may have a beef with the industry but he was not the one who reviewed Mastro's finanical records, the prosecutor did. Unlike many of the forum members, additionally, I am a true collector and have NEVER made a nickel of my income via this hobby. The only stuff I ever sell are cards I've upgraded. So, I'm hardly in a position to be accused of having my own bias. Hell, I plan on bidding in Mastro's upcoming auction! That being said, I won't put in a max bid until Mastro is given a clean bill of health.