FBI Update: What to do?

Collectors who bought memorabilia from the culprits of Operations Bullpen and Foul Ball have been scrambling to get their money back. Many people who have contacted Sweet Spot via email or by phone have had little success finding the co-conspirators, not to mention getting their money back. The victims feel, well, like victims - abused and helpless. Consider the victims of Overtime Prowear one of the targets of Operation Foul Ball.

First, the news. Robert Austin, formerly of Overtime ProWear of California has received a 30-month prison sentence, 36 months probation after serving time, and ordered to pay $188,000 in restitution. That total is based on invoices found during the FBI bust in June 1996. Austin was largely involved in knowingly selling forged Michael Jordan items. Ted Chung, assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago, said, "We're going to send out a letter to individual, identifiable victims of Mr. Austin. We have received invoices from late 1995 through 1996. Those people whose addresses are still correct will receive this notification. They will be required to provide receipts and submit the forged items. We realize there are other individuals who believe they have been victimized. My suspicions are that their avenue for recovery will be civil and not criminal." Chung said victims with sufficient documentation should call Bob Walker of the FBI's Operation Foul Ball at (312) 986-6509. Walker told Sweet Spot they will need to indicate what they're owed and offer documentation of the transaction, he said.

Meanwhile, more arraignments and guilty pleas have been entered in the Operation Bullpen out of San Diego since the first arraignments were made on April 11. Scott and Mary Lou Harris, wholesalers with Universal Authentic Memorabilia, were charged May 2 and will enter their plea on June 7. Wayne Bray, an authenticator and wholesaler, was charged with conspiracy and tax evasion and will appear in court on May 17; Sheldon Jaffe was charged with conspiracy and filing false income taxes and will plea on May 18; Forest "Frosty" Golembeske, a wholesaler, was charged with conspiracy and will plead on May 19; Michael Lopez, charged with forgery, will plead on June 9. Each of the co-conspirators is free on $50,000 bonds, officials said. Sentencing for this group of defendants will likely be in September. Other pleadings have been scheduled between May 16-19 for defendants Mike Bowler, Bruce Gaston, Lowell Katz, Michael Tapales, Richard Mitchell, Robin and Michael Moses, Jon Hall, Richard Laughlin, Richard Weimer, Anthony Marino and Karen and Reno Ruberti. John Marino, Gloria Marino, Kathleen Marino, Greg Marino and Angelo Marino were the first to plead guilty in the case on April 26.