Arrest at the National?

[frikativ54]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Interesting article from the NY Daily News; check out the picture of Jensen being escorted away.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/iteam/2011/08/04/2011-08-04_steve_jensen_arrested_for_selling_fake_memorabilia_phony_jerseys_of_alex_rodrigu.html

Only thing is that I couldn't access the court papers. Is the link to them working for anybody else?

Here are also some arrest photos; I can't wait to hear more firsthand testimony from people at the National.

[MSpecht]

Re: Arrest at the National?

"If customers independently learned the jerseys were fake and returned them, Jensen allegedly re-auctioned them, authorities said."


The MO above seems to be at the heart of the matter. Over the years, various collectors have complained that, when overwhelming evidence was presented that an item either purchased or won at auction from Vintage Authentics was non-authentic, Jensen would initially offer to put it in an upcoming VA auction and assist (hope) the original purchaser would get their money (or some part of it) back. Of course, the second time around, there would be no mention of any "issues" with the "authenticated" item. On occasion, when under pressure, the original buyer would get a refund, the non-authentic item would again show up in a future auction, again with no discussion of "issues." It looks like they went to the well one too many times (or took on the wrong collector who decided to not let the matter drop. Depending on the amount of additional resources the U.S. Postal Inspectors Service decides to devote to this prosecution, we may be seeing just the tip of the iceberg. It will also be interesting to see how the "We trusted our authenticator" defense plays out.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/search.php?searchid=904906

Mike jackitout7@aol.com

[nickacs]

Re: Arrest at the National?

No, probably devalues the item

Exactly.... ANY auction/Ebay/personal collection item I see for sale with one, it's bye bye sale! LMAO.. Run and stay far, far away my friends

[ziggy]

Re: Arrest at the National?

why is anyone even using and paying lampson for his tarnished BS LOA's at the present???? do people actually still hold value to his LOA's?

No, probably devalues the item

[mickeymbz]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Unindicted co-conspirator?

why is anyone even using and paying lampson for his tarnished BS LOA's at the present???? do people actually still hold value to his LOA's?

[Bondsgloves]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I think Steve did what most of us would do and that doesn't make it right. After more than 2 years, the buyer comes back with a Arod jersey he claims was not authentic. The buyer overpaid to begin with and then the "juicing" info came out on Arod. Steve had long since paid the consignor. Assuming that Steve ever agreed that the jersey was not good, he could have simply taken back the jersey and eaten the loss or taken it out of Lou's future pay. Instead, he tried to mitigate his losses by reselling the jersey. My concern is whether there was an orchestrated conspiracy to defraud between Steve and one or more consignors.

Again, I request any info to definitely establish that my 2002 road Pujois is not good. I'm guessing that, infortunately, I outbid the inspector who went to bed before I did. I know the PIs would like me to cooperate, but not sure that is in my best interest at this point. I doubt Albert had only two road jerseys for the 2002 season. He has his charity and wants the proceeds of all jerseys, helmets, or bats bearing his name going to that worthy cause.

Don't we pay a 20% buyers premium to the auction houses. If an auction house is going to take 20% from the bidder, the risk should be on the auction house if the item turns out to be bad. I do not feel bad for the auction houses at all, they make a killing on fees, yet they complain when you come back and question an items authenticity.

[DeacDoug]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Thank you, RJ.

[rj_lucas]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Again, I request any info to definitely establish that my 2002 road Pujois is not good.

I think most forum members would agree that Jeff Scott (birdbats.com) is one of the most credible and respected experts in the hobby in regards to Cardinals equipment. Coincidentally, in his August 1 blog entry Jeff commented on the 2002 Pujols jersey in the current VA auction, and noted that he has seen more bad road 2002 Pujols jerseys than any other style.

If I were in your position, I would seek out a credible resource like Jeff Scott or Dave Grob i.e. someone who will perform an actual forensic analysis, and have them take a look.

Rick

[DeacDoug]

Re: Arrest at the National?

VA's site is back up. Looks like bidding as usual on current auction for time being.

[DeacDoug]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I think Steve did what most of us would do and that doesn't make it right. After more than 2 years, the buyer comes back with a Arod jersey he claims was not authentic. The buyer overpaid to begin with and then the "juicing" info came out on Arod. Steve had long since paid the consignor. Assuming that Steve ever agreed that the jersey was not good, he could have simply taken back the jersey and eaten the loss or taken it out of Lou's future pay. Instead, he tried to mitigate his losses by reselling the jersey. My concern is whether there was an orchestrated conspiracy to defraud between Steve and one or more consignors.

Again, I request any info to definitely establish that my 2002 road Pujois is not good. I'm guessing that, infortunately, I outbid the inspector who went to bed before I did. I know the PIs would like me to cooperate, but not sure that is in my best interest at this point. I doubt Albert had only two road jerseys for the 2002 season. He has his charity and wants the proceeds of all jerseys, helmets, or bats bearing his name going to that worthy cause.

[David]

Re: Arrest at the National?

However, I do agree that honest sellers will sometimes accept a return from an incorrect buyer and resell it, rather than get into a useless fight over the issue. I accepted a return once, then the buyer emailed me to admit he made the error not me. I knew I was right all along, but wasn't interested in a hassle.

[David]

Re: Arrest at the National?

If you read the article, the agent returned the 1999 All-Star Game McGwire jersey as fake after McGwire himself said it had to be fake because he owned the real one. So there wasn't much gray area there about its authenticity and why it was being returned in that instance.

[gingi79]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I have no dog in this fight other than the truth. For all I know, Steve is a criminal and will be found a thief and punished. A few things to pnder however, just to tie in another ongoing thread here at GUU:

VA sells an item. The buyer claims it isn't real or the "so called experts who claim everyone elses stuff is fake and only their stuff is real" convinces him it's fake. Steve thinks the so called expert is wrong and the customer has buyers remorse. Rather than deal with the drama and feeling he can resell possibly for more anyway, he does what we expect all dealers and auction houses to do. He stands by his item, gave the buyer his money and takes the jersey back no questions asked.

VA would feel the same way everyone in that thread claims to feel. He knows the item is real, his authenticator tells him he is right. To the best of his knowledge, it is.

The main difference is, as a collector who didn't do the homework and due dilligence we feel bad for you. When it is an auction house or dealer, then they are out to screw us. While it appears that Steve is not innocent, perhaps it illustrates how quick we are to have that double standard.

[jppopma]

Re: Arrest at the National?

David hit the nail on the head. When the jersey was sold the 1st time, Steve could hide behind the consignor and a Lampson LOA. Once it was proved to be fake and returned, the burden would fall onto Steve to prove otherwise.

From the sounds of it, it seems like he just kept trying over and over to sell it. This would fall directly onto him. If Lampson, reapproved the jersey or told Steve "it's good, I know more than anyone who says it's fake"....then he would be culpable too.

As an auction house, I just wonder why Steve would not have returned the jersey to the consignor and seek legal remedy for the auction price? Maybe it was owned by him or someone within his company.

I'd love to hear the opinion of other auction houses and their concerns over this type of liability.

[David]

Re: Arrest at the National?

So a major issue is what evidence was given that an item was fake to the seller when it was returned. If proof or majorly compelling evidence of fakery was given as reason for return, the reseller may be in majorly compelling tough spot.

But I don't know the who what where when.