American Greed John Rogers Episode

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Kudos to SA Brusokas for again busting his ass for a hobby that doesn't deserve him.

Brian's a great guy, I had the privilege of talking to him at some length once. But I'm not sure I understand the dig at the hobby you're so much a part of. We all know about the many rotten apples that have been exposed, and no doubt there are more to come, but you and I could both name so many people that have proven themselves worthy of our trust over decades in the business. So exactly why aren't they worthy of protection from the fraudsters? Maybe I'm taking this too personally, but I think I'm worthy, and I certainly think you're worthy. How many other people on this forum and in this hobby are worthy?

[Brian Van Horn]

Frankly, American Greed could have easily made a whole episode out of Rogers.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Brian's a great guy, I had the privilege of talking to him at some length once. But I'm not sure I understand the dig at the hobby you're so much a part of. We all know about the many rotten apples that have been exposed, and no doubt there are more to come, but you and I could both name so many people that have proven themselves worthy of our trust over decades in the business. So exactly why aren't they worthy of protection from the fraudsters? Maybe I'm taking this too personally, but I think I'm worthy, and I certainly think you're worthy. How many other people on this forum and in this hobby are worthy?

Have to admit I kinda felt the same way about that last line. I'm a big Jeff Lichtman fan, and I hope it was just hyperbole getting the better of him.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Have to admit I kinda felt the same way about that last line. I'm a big Jeff Lichtman fan, and I hope it was just hyperbole getting the better of him.

Count me also among those in Jeff's fan club, and you know what? For what he's done for all of us and for the hobby, he's certainly entitled to see a darker side to it than the rest of us if he wants to.

[SetBuilder]

~$22 million is a huge sum for sports memorabilia. Sounds to me like Mr. Rogers made some dealers a lot of money over the years. He couldn't have done it alone.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Brian's a great guy, I had the privilege of talking to him at some length once. But I'm not sure I understand the dig at the hobby you're so much a part of. We all know about the many rotten apples that have been exposed, and no doubt there are more to come, but you and I could both name so many people that have proven themselves worthy of our trust over decades in the business. So exactly why aren't they worthy of protection from the fraudsters? Maybe I'm taking this too personally, but I think I'm worthy, and I certainly think you're worthy. How many other people on this forum and in this hobby are worthy?

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Have to admit I kinda felt the same way about that last line. I'm a big Jeff Lichtman fan, and I hope it was just hyperbole getting the better of him.

You guys are misinterpreting what Jeff is saying. Basically, or in other words, Jeff is saying our hobby has no place in it for people like of him. At least that is how I am reading it.

[commishbob]

Originally Posted by irv

You guys are misinterpreting what Jeff is saying. Basically, or in other words, Jeff is saying our hobby has no place in it for people like of him. At least that is how I am reading it.

^^^^^this

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by irv

You guys are misinterpreting what Jeff is saying. Basically, or in other words, Jeff is saying our hobby has no place in it for people like of him. At least that is how I am reading it.

I think they are interpreting Jeff correctly. I think Jeff feels that we allowed Mastro to do what he did without anybody really doing anything (and even sticking up for him) and we continue to allow people with blatant fraudulent pasts to be the lead at many of the major auction houses and some of the biggest dealers. Some of the principle owners of auction houses have done time in jail/prison, others have a checkered past ripping off people through print/tv, others were even part of the Mastro shenanigans only to be re-hired by other companies to do the same job they had a hard time doing ethically in the past.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I asked Jeff if he'd hop back in instead of us all trying to interpret his meaning.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

I think they are interpreting Jeff correctly. I think Jeff feels that we allowed Mastro to do what he did without anybody really doing anything (and even sticking up for him) and we continue to allow people with blatant fraudulent pasts to be the lead at many of the major auction houses and some of the biggest dealers. Some of the principle owners of auction houses have done time in jail/prison, others have a checkered past ripping off people through print/tv, others were even part of the Mastro shenanigans only to be re-hired by other companies to do the same job they had a hard time doing ethically in the past.

So the hobby is so dirty and corrupt that it's beyond redemption and doesn't deserve the protection of the legal system, is that it? A cesspool of criminal activity with the collusion and consent of most of the big players? What would you estimate the % of the dirty part to the good part? And if I could get personal for a second, if it's this bad, why are you involved in it? For that matter, why is Jeff? After 40 years in the hobby, I honestly had no idea it was like that, now you've got me rethinking everything.