To date, Operation Bullpen has accomplished a wide variety of objectives. One of the most significant accomplishments is the infiltration and dismantling of a major, nationwide network of forgers, authenticators, wholesalers, and retailers. This organization is responsible for the creation and sale of up to $100 million of forged memorabilia. This network distributed forged memorabilia directly to retailers in fifteen states including California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Hawaii, Kansas, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In addition, the wholesalers sold forged memorabilia to retail businesses and consumers in virtually every state in the country.

The first group of individuals is scheduled to be arraigned on fraud and tax charges on or about April 11, 2000. This group of individuals includes forgers:

• Greg Marino
• Angelo Marino
• Mike Moses
• Mike Lopez
• David Tabb
• Richard Mitchell

This group also includes a number of authenticators and distributors:

1. Wayne Bray
Authenticator and Wholesaler, dba:

a. Sports & Celebrity Authentic Autographs
San Marcos, California and

b. WW Sports Cards
San Marcos, California

 

2. John Marino
Gloria Marino
Kathleen Marino
Assisted Forgers and Wholesalers, dba:

a. Front Page Art

Greg Marino
Angelo Marino

 

3. Mike Moses
Forger, Wholesaler, and Authenticator, dba

a. Sports Management Group
Aliso Viejo, California

b. Universal Authentic Memorabilia
San Clemente, California

c. Sports Alley
Laguna Niguel, California

Robyn Moses
Wholesaler

4. Reno Ruberti
Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Universal Authentic Memorabilia
San Clemente, California

Karen Ruberti

5. David Tabb*
Forger, Wholesaler, and Authenticator, d.b.a.

a. Hollywood Dreams
Santa Ana, California

b. Classic Memorabilia
Santa Ana, California

c. Hollywood Collectibles
Santa Ana, California

*Tabb was the subject of two television investigative reports regarding the sale of forged memorabilia in the lobbies of theaters in California and Arizona.

 

6. Ricky Mitchell
Forger and Wholesaler

 

7. Mike Lopez
Forger and Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. International Sports Marketing
Rosemead, California

 

8. Mike Bowler
Distributor and Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Catch a Star
Oceanside, California

b. JMC Distributors
Oceanside, California

c. J & M Sports Cards
Oceanside, California

 

9. Ricky Weimer
Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Rick's Collectibles
Escondido, California

 

10. Sheldon Jaffe
Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Shelly's Cards
Tustin, California

 

11. Richard Laughlin
Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Framed Images
San Juan Capistrano, California

 

12. Michael Tapales
Wholesaler and "Runner", d.b.a.

a. Prime Time Sports Cards
Buena Park, California

 

13. Carmen "Chip" Lombardo
Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Home Field Advantage
Del Mar, California

 

14. Jon Hall
Retailer, d.b.a.

a. Del Mar Sports Cards
San Diego, California

 

15. Lowell Katz
Retailer, d.b.a.

a. The Beautiful and the Unusual
Long Beach, California

 

16. Bruce Gaston
Retailer, d.b.a.

a. La Jolla Sports Cards
La Jolla, California

 

17. Frosty Golembeske
Retailer, Wholesaler, d.b.a.

a. Frosty's

 

18. Anthony Marino
Wholesaler d. b. a.

a. Pro Sport Memorabilia

 

19. Scott Harris
Wholesaler, d. b. a.

a. Universal Authentic Memorabilia

Mary Lou Harris
Wholesaler, d. b. a.

a. Universal Authentic Memorabilia

The Government's investigation in San Diego is continuing and it is anticipated that many others will be charged with fraud and tax evasion.

In addition to charging all those responsible with fraud and tax offenses, the FBI and the IRS - Criminal Investigation Division are seizing assets, assessing fines, and determining tax liability. The seized assets include two homes with a combined value of approximately $1,000,000, a 38-foot boat valued at $34,000, jewelry worth approximately $56,000, a Ferrari, a Harley Davidson Sportster, and cash or fines totaling over $1,000,000.

Through the execution of approximately sixty (60) search warrants and Undercover Agent/Informant evidence purchases, the FBI and the IRS seized approximately $10,000,000 of forged memorabilia which would have been sold to the unsuspecting public.