Criminal charges filed in Favre memorabilia investigation

[trsent]

Re: Criminal charges filed in Favre memorabilia investigation

Oops, yes, my quote should have said "A crime is a crime, this alleged crime may have made the accused more money than reported."

Besides, $10,000 in four years may not be much, but the principle is don't mess with Brett. His people like to do their homework!

[Eric]

Re: Criminal charges filed in Favre memorabilia investigation

Plea deals expected in Favre autograph fraud cases
Two of three people charged scheduled to reach agreements

By Andy Nelesen
anelesen@greenbaypressgazette.com


Two of the three defendants in the Brett Favre autograph scandal are scheduled to fast track their cases to a resolution later this month.


Charges were filed Tuesday in Brown County court alleging the sale of bogus Favre-autographed prints at an Ashwaubenon sports memorabilia shop. Prosecutors from the state Department of Justice allege that Michael Van Lanen sold the high-quality framed pieces at his shop, All Sports Marketing, and passed them off as bearing authentic Brett Favre signatures.


Prosecutors allege that the prints were, in fact, duplicates of prints bearing the Green Bay Packers quarterback's autograph and were produced by Paul "P.J." Vidani III at his printing business, Green Bay Blue.


Both businesses are on Holmgren Way in Ashwaubenon.


Van Lanen, 49, and Vidani, 59, face felony charges of theft by fraud, identity theft and multiple counts of trafficking in counterfeit marks. The pair also are charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of unauthorized use of a trademark. Each faces up to 36 years behind bars if convicted on all counts.


Van Lanen's wife, Cynthia, 50, faces a count of misdemeanor obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to investigators during the nine-month probe. She faces up to nine months in jail.


Staff for Brown County Circuit Court Judge William Atkinson confirmed that the Van Lanens' cases are scheduled to be resolved at a plea and sentencing hearing set for Aug. 28.


Green Bay attorney Brian Maloney said his client, Cynthia Van Lanen, is expecting to end the case at the Aug. 28 hearing. He declined to speak for Michael Van Lanen, who is represented by Milwaukee-based attorney Stephen Glynn.


Efforts to reach Glynn on Tuesday and Wednesday were unsuccessful.


But the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Web site shows a plea/sentencing hearing set for Aug. 28 for Michael Van Lanen.


Vidani's case is expected to follow a more traditional track. Attorney Shane Brabazon said he plans to schedule an initial appearance for his client soon.


"We are upset they decided to file charges," Brabazon said. "We thought that based on the information that's out there, that there's no way they ever would have thought my client was trying to deceive or defraud anybody.


"My client's just basically a printer and unfortunately Mr. Van Lanen took it upon himself, because these prints were of such high quality, to sell them as originals."


Brabazon said that Vidani was prepared to be challenged on civil copyright issues, but didn't believe he was doing anything criminal.


"Mr. Vidani thought all these items that he printed — the ones that had autographs — were being sold as copies," Brabazon said. "Anything that suggests deception, we will vigorously defend."


In the criminal complaint filed Tuesday, investigators allege that on the day state Justice agents raided Van Lanen's business, Vidani called an employee and instructed her to delete all files relating to All Sports Marketing from the Green Bay Blue computers.


In an interview with investigators, Vidani allegedly said, "I'm involved. I know what (Van Lanen) has done." Investigators also quoted Vidani as saying "I made a stupid mistake," "I'm not innocent either" and "I wanna come clean," the complaint said.


Assistant Attorney General Eric Wilson refused to discuss any of the pending cases when reached by phone Wednesday.