We've Been Sued by Christopher Morales

Last Wednesday I was directed to an article on Autograph Alert that, beyond saying the usual things they say about this site and me, seemingly "outed" one of our members whose comments they didn't like. At the end of the article, they wrote:

"By the time you read this story,
Cyrkin will have the first of a major rude awakening,
one he has invited and is well deserved."

The next morning I received an email from a court services firm asking for an appointment to serve me with legal papers. I arranged to be served this Wednesday. And I had a copy of the suit sent to me.

I have been sued by Christopher Morales, the autograph authenticator I have called, "the forger's best friend." Morales is joining me to his lawsuit against Roger Epperson alleging:

libel
slander
business disparagement
tortuous interference with prospective business relations, and
civil conspiracy.

I don't look forward to this or any lawsuit. Who does? But I feel it's my duty, and all of ours, to do everything we can to protect collectors, fans and the autograph hobby against forgeries. So, like Roger has, I'll defend the lawsuit vigorously—and I will not stop speaking out.

I stand behind everything I've ever said or published about Christopher Morales, and the forgery industry that uses him. I would be surprised if even one-percent of the autographs he has authenticated are genuine. But this is Morales's opportunity to prove that I am wrong; that most of the autographs he authenticates ARE genuine—and that we are "out to get him."

The truth is on our side.

Sincerely,

Steve Cyrkin
Editor & Publisher

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Comment by Chad Blessinger on February 16, 2012 at 8:08am: Have there been any updates to the case?

Comment by Seleznev Dmitri on February 16, 2012 at 7:43am: Is this the same famous Christopher Morales who authenticated fake items for the Rick Garceau? Heart-breaking story posted Jan 17, 2012? He was stupid enough to sue you? So, how this is ended up Steve, did you win the case? Sure, you did, otherwise I would give up on this hobby...

Comment by Steve Cyrkin on December 27, 2011 at 3:07pm: David,

I'd be surprised if they didn't send you a photo of the drumhead. If they send you a copy of the COA, it will be in your best interest not to reveal who it's from until opinions are in. That way it's hard to make accusations of bias.

Comment by Rick Meyer on December 27, 2011 at 2:58pm: Buying an autograph in Vegas is gambling. Better odds at black jack.

Comment by David S. on December 27, 2011 at 2:54pm: If the store is honest and stands by their reputation, then I see no reason why they would refuse to send me a photo and a copy of the certificate.

If they refuse, and won't so much as send me a picture of the item I paid $5K for, wouldn't that seem highly suspicious? Otherwise, what do they have to worry about?

I might have to pick up the piece, to get a 3rd party to declare it a fake. I suspect that if they sense I think something is wrong, getting ANY cooperation from them will become impossible. Especially if they already have suspicions as to this authenticity.

I am still waiting for my call and email to be returned. I will be deeply disappointed if this deteriorates the way I fear it might.

And if this piece has a value of $7,500, that just happens to be what it was listed at in the store. I bargained them down, and so obviously, if it's legit(ha!), then I have a piece NOW worth a couple of grand more than I paid for it, and will only appeciate in value most likely. In other words, too good to be true.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin on December 27, 2011 at 2:39pm: David,

A genuine GRAMMYS drumhead like you're describing—not that I've ever seen one—probably wouldn't be worth a lot more than you paid. Maybe $7,500 or so, it's hard to say. But I don't think it would be a 5-figure item.

But even though there is a good chance the drumhead you bought is fake, if it is as you described, you are not being fair to the seller or yourself without getting opinions on it....which require images. And unlike other shops in Las Vegas that have reputations for selling mostly forgeries, this shop doesn't as far as I know.

Get those pics!

Comment by Christopher Williams on December 27, 2011 at 2:20pm: David, you're only being premature because no one here has seen the item and no one here knows how much you purchased it for.

Comment by David S. on December 27, 2011 at 2:09pm: Accepting that I'm perhaps being premature, and I realize this might be an obvious question, but doesn't the too good to be true adage apply at this point? I felt like I was getting a great deal. If this is 100% legit, then perhaps I got an incredible buy, right?

Seriously, a Grammy piece signed by legends such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Garth Brooks, BB King, Sting, Phil Collins, Bono, Edge, Celine Dion, Beyonce, and several others, would be worth a considerable sum of money. I did pay a tidy sum, but left feeling damn good about myself and what I had acquired. Aside from the large h*** in my pocket, I was secure in having a piece I could display proudly the rest of my life if necessary.

Comment by Christopher Williams on December 27, 2011 at 2:04pm: I agree with Steve, that's why I was asking questions about the item.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin on December 27, 2011 at 2:02pm: David,

All of this is premature until you have images of the drumhead. All of the ones I've seen have been 50th GRAMMYS drumheads and guitars except for the one discussed here. All of them have been easy to recognize, obvious forgeries. But you need images to see if yours is OK or not.