Any info on a recent bust by the FBI???

[Ringking]

I was told that somewhere in FL the FBI busted a group or a business with nothing but fake autographs.

Some with certs and stickers from PSA, and JSA. Any info on this as I can't find anything while doing a search.

The majority of the items were Mantle, Dimaggio, Williams, Jordan, Ali

The only thing that I found today was this
http://www.forbes.com/sites/billsing...orabilia-ring/

Which actually talks about JO sports, a company that sells GAME USED jerseys.

[drc]

Just recently, some dealers pled guilty to to forgery after an FBI investication, but that was game used not autographs. They were the folks mentioned in the article you iinked. Haven't heard anything about an autograph case-- which of course doesn't mean I hear everything.

[Ringking]

Originally Posted by drc

Just recently, some dealers pled guilty to to forgery after an FBI investication, but that was game used not autographs. They were the folks mentioned in the article you iinked. Haven't heard anything about an autograph case-- which of course doesn't mean I hear everything.

This I guess went down on monday or tue of this week, somewhere in FL. I heard about it from people there, but nothing in form of print, just them talking.

The game used stuff is a little shocking, as JO sports I thought was a good company. They have a lot of stuff from teams. To hear this is a little unsettling as if you look at their website, they have a lot of good jerseys for sale. One has to wonder now, just what is real and what isn't....

[drc]

JO Sports has been the official game used distributer, not unlike Steiner, for some NFL teams including the Cowboys and Bears. So I don't doubt that they've sold genuine items.

[Ringking]

Originally Posted by drc

JO Sports has been the official game used distributer, not unlike Steiner, for some NFL teams including the Cowboys and Bears. So I don't doubt that they've sold genuine items.

One of the men from JO sports was part of the bust.
Four defendants were charged in an Information with mail fraud:
JARROD OLDRIDGE, NV, involved in business operations of JO Sports, Inc., a Nevada business;

Guilty Pleas
On November 21, 2011, defendants Gernay, Horne, and Oldridge pleaded guilty. According to their plea agreements, these three defendants sold, consigned, or auctioned jerseys, which were falsely and fraudulently represented to buyers as “game used.” Also, the defendants sold what they falsely represented were game-used jerseys to other persons knowing the jerseys were intended to then be sold to sports trading card companies.

Defendants Gernay, Horne and Oldridge admitted the jerseys they sold were altered to appear game worn — which was accomplished by

replacing the name and number on a jersey from a lesser player to that of a more popular athlete;
changing the shape of the jerseys; and
adding patches or other identifiable marks on the jerseys.
The three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in May 2012.


Lots of teams are with JO Sports.
Ravens, Bills, Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Chiefs, Dolphins,Vikings, Giants, Jets, Raiders, Chargers, Rams and Redskins.