Federal authorities break up fake memorabilia ring

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- At least half, and possibly 90 percent, of the celebrity and sports collectibles sold in the United States are fake, federal authorities say.<br><br>An investigation has resulted in charges

Wednesday, April 12th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- At least half, and possibly 90 percent, of the celebrity and sports collectibles sold in the United States are fake, federal authorities say.

An investigation has resulted in charges against 25 people and the seizure of thousands of items with forged autographs, including a baseball supposedly signed by Mother Teresa.

"This is by far the largest memorabilia fraud investigation in the FBI's history," special agent William Gore said Wednesday as
authorities put the confiscated goods on display.

Authorities estimate the total U.S. market for autographed memorabilia at about $1 billion. Fake merchandise is sold over the Internet and through national catalogues, but also through retailers across the country.

In addition to those already charged, about 40 more probably will be charged in coming months, U.S. Attorney Gregory Vega said.

Merchandise included items with fake autographs from Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King Jr., Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mark McGwire and Tony Gwynn.

"People need to be aware that there are going to be people out there trying to take advantage of your kids, of adults, of everybody," Gwynn said.

Some of the items were comically fake, such as the baseball supposedly autographed by Mother Teresa, Assistant U.S. Attorney
Phillip Halpern said Tuesday.

The Operation Bullpen investigation targeted a network of forgers and distributors, as well as people who provided fake authentication documents intended to persuade buyers that the items were legitimate, Halpern said.

The forgery ring was based in Southern California but authorities believe the merchandise was distributed nationwide and
beyond. Federal agents seized merchandise, including 10,000 signed baseballs, in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Florida.

"I would imagine stuff from this ring is in every single state in the country," Halpern said.

Authorities first got a tip from Upper Deck Co. of Carlsbad, a trading card and memorabilia firm. The investigation suggests the celebrity memorabilia industry is rife with fraud, including merchandise sold at stores that appear to be legitimate, said Halpern, estimating that half or more of the autographed items sold to the public are counterfeit.

The suspects face a variety of charges including forgery, mail and wire fraud, racketeering, counterfeiting, and tax offenses, FBI spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said. Defendants were expected to surrender, she added.

McGwire and Gwynn helped investigators identify fake autographs, Halpern said. Gwynn said he saw baseballs forged with his signature
for sale at a team gift shop in Encinitas.

"There's just so many forged and counterfeit items out there that something had to be done," Gwynn said.

Vega said the investigation led him to doubt the authenticity of items he purchased for his own sons, including framed autographed
photos of Jordan and Gwynn.

"As I sit here today I'm wondering if they are counterfeit or not," he said.