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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

10 members like this

Comment by CJCollector on December 27, 2011 at 1:51pm: David, I would definitely try to amicably resolve the matter with the company. The last thing these companies want is a rash of complaints; too many complaints and credit card companies will not allow them to accept credit cards.

Comment by David S. on December 27, 2011 at 1:52pm: Again, I'm stupid for not writing all the information down, but I had anticipated taking it home with me. But basically, I don't have the certificate, it's on the back of the frame. A certain moderator at this site essentially told me though, that the certificate is of little use, and that most of the so-called Grammy signed items he has submitted are fakes, according to the Grammy association.

Comment by David S. on December 27, 2011 at 2:02pm: I am going to amicably, with a smile, attempt to handle this directly with the shop. If they choose to tell me to take a leap, that will tell me all I need to know about their honesty and "reputation." If I have to take delivery, and actually get several authenticators to say it's crapola, then I will.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin 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.

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

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 hole in my pocket, I was secure in having a piece I could display proudly the rest of my life if necessary.

Comment by CJCollector 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 Steve Cyrkin, Admin 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 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.