The FBI & Fraud Cases: Slam Dunks Required

[Johnny630]

Who are the victims?

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze ?

[Mark]

"On December 27, 2017, William Eatinger, a popular baseball coach (now retired) in California and a friend of Henkel’s, entered into a contract with Heritage Auctions to sell this Ruth bat in its February 24-25, 2018, auction. It sold for $60,000 with $1320 subtracted from this total for grading fees and commission for the authentication taken out. According to Wells Fargo records, on April 11, 2018, Eatinger received a check from the victim for $52,680. He gave Henkel and his brother (Mark) approximately 85 percent of the sale’s proceeds. The bat was PSA/DNA-certified. JT Sports authenticates MLB bats for PSA. The analysis notes that the bat lacked a model number and its measurements were smaller than other bats used by Ruth, TDN reports. So was this bat fake or real? The FBI doesn’t say. PSA and JT Sports were contacted about this by email but didn’t reply."

Can you say more about why some doubt the authenticity of this bat? The LOA discusses the bat's weight and width, and it links the bat to shipping records from 1925 that say Ruth ordered some "lighter" bats that year. Where are the problems? A bat from 1925 would not be expected to have a model number on the knob or the barrel. Is it the discrepency between the bat's current weight (41.3 oz) and the weight of bats Ruth ordered that summer (43 oz.)?

http://https://sports.ha.com/itm/bas...umbnail-071515

[vintagewhitesox]

If the FBI is issuing subpoenas pursuant to a Grand Jury, that means there is definately an ongoin investigation into certain subjects. However, guessing who that may be is purely speculation.
good write up on FBI investigative practices.
also, SOL for fraud is 10 years from the last act or when it was detected, 18 USC 1344. However, if the government alleges an ongoing conspiracy, then the fraud is still "active" and no SOL issues arrises.
Also, on my experience, the federal government takes a very long time bringing a case. As you said, they usually only want slam dunks.

[BCauley]

I wouldn't doubt that this is probably an enterprise investigation that is going to be a lot more complex than a regular investigation. It'll take time and 17 months does not surprise me at all if this is the case.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by vintagewhitesox

If the FBI is issuing subpoenas pursuant to a Grand Jury, that means there is definately an ongoin investigation into certain subjects. However, guessing who that may be is purely speculation.
good write up on FBI investigative practices.
also, SOL for fraud is 10 years from the last act or when it was detected, 18 USC 1344. However, if the government alleges an ongoing conspiracy, then the fraud is still "active" and no SOL issues arrises.
Also, on my experience, the federal government takes a very long time bringing a case. As you said, they usually only want slam dunks.

I've been told by a postmaster of a large local facility who used to talk to the stamp club that there is no SOL on anything involving the post office.

[swarmee]

I'd also like to see Dick Towle's records subpoenaed. If we're creating a wishlist...

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Mark

"On December 27, 2017, William Eatinger, a popular baseball coach (now retired) in California and a friend of Henkel’s, entered into a contract with Heritage Auctions to sell this Ruth bat in its February 24-25, 2018, auction. It sold for $60,000 with $1320 subtracted from this total for grading fees and commission for the authentication taken out. According to Wells Fargo records, on April 11, 2018, Eatinger received a check from the victim for $52,680. He gave Henkel and his brother (Mark) approximately 85 percent of the sale’s proceeds. The bat was PSA/DNA-certified. JT Sports authenticates MLB bats for PSA. The analysis notes that the bat lacked a model number and its measurements were smaller than other bats used by Ruth, TDN reports. So was this bat fake or real? The FBI doesn’t say. PSA and JT Sports were contacted about this by email but didn’t reply."

Can you say more about why some doubt the authenticity of this bat? The LOA discusses the bat's weight and width, and it links the bat to shipping records from 1925 that say Ruth ordered some "lighter" bats that year. Where are the problems? A bat from 1925 would not be expected to have a model number on the knob or the barrel. Is it the discrepency between the bat's current weight (41.3 oz) and the weight of bats Ruth ordered that summer (43 oz.)?

http://https://sports.ha.com/itm/bas...umbnail-071515

I can’t comment on any of this other than as a woodworker, a piece of lumber losing 4% of its weight over several decades is nothing out of the ordinary.

[kevlar7]

This would make an interesting documentary like the "McMillions" series.