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Mass Resignations, Lives Threatened as AFTAL is Hijacked During Behind the Scenes Forgery Investigation

Formed with the stated goal of stamping out fake autographs, AFTAL, the Autograph Fair Trade Alliance, attracted many of UK's and Europe's most reputable dealers as members. But while the vast majority of AFTAL dealers lived its stated goal, including a recognized expert used by law enforcement to testify against the forgery industry, AFTAL's two primary founders, Dominic Manning and Marc Mclennan, used it as cover to sell and authenticate thousands of forgeries. Manning has seized control of the organization after an AFTAL steering committee found that he sold hundreds of fake Michael Jackson autographs he claimed to have gotten in person. And like a mansion built on quicksand, AFTAL is crumbling.

As the legally listed head of AFTAL, Manning, owner of Behind the Scenes Autographs, disbanded the steering committee last week that was formed in December by boardmember Garry King after Manning and another boardmember were forced to resign. Manning then reportedly had AFTAL's lawyer slap a suppression order (gag order) on the former members of the committee, forbidding them to talk publicly about Manning's actions or their determination that the Michael Jacksons Manning sold were forgeries.

In the UK, even revealing that you are under a suppression order can have you held in contempt of court, so little information about it has come out and no public documents appear to be available. But the sudden silence of former steering members who used to speak to me confirms its existence in my mind.

Events have taken a violent turn. Several autograph dealers have reportedly been threatened by Manning or the source of the forgeries, Adrian Longden, and police reports have been filed. At least one victim is in fear of his life.

Roughly a third of AFTAL members have resigned or are in the process of doing so, and many more are anticipated to resign as they hear about the scandal.

Stay tuned for more. Autograph Magazine is preparing a list of current and former AFTAL dealers considered reputable. Please message me if you would like to be considered for this list.

For more details on AFTAL's actions and the Dominic Manning/Adrian Longden forgeries, read the following Autograph Magazine Live! discussions:

0 members like this

Comment by Rick Meyer on April 3, 2013 at 5:36pm: Nothing going to change. Just like anywhere those buying autographs should do their homework first.

Folks that buy from AFTAL dealers need to understand that they will side with profit over honest dealing. AFTAL is nothing more than a competition killer. They offer no protection for customers whatsoever. The stupid initials or claims of being an AFTAL dealer is nothing more than to sucker in the suckers.

Comment by Mick Taylor on April 4, 2013 at 6:29am: Thats a very unfair statement Rick as the members had absolutely no say in any of the decisions that have been made.

There are some very good sellers on AFTAL's list the issue for me is if they stay on the list once their membership is due re-newal knowing the situation

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 4, 2013 at 1:50pm: MJ Fan, its difficult here in the UK, but what can anyone do here.

People have been stung on items that have most definitely originated in the UK and been sold worldwide.

These items were sold as collected 'in person' and as it finally turned out were not obtained ' in person'. They were allegedly passed into MJ via his security, but sold as collected 'in person'

Its been highlighted and still no one has done anything about it in the UK

All I can do along with other reputable people throughout the world is wait for them to appear and tell the vendor the whole story and let them seek Authentication

Then it seems if advised fake they are not gonna get a refund anyway !

Strange but true !!!.

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 4, 2013 at 1:57pm: Mick, thanks for that, but I can only speak from my conversations with 5 UK Dealers, not stating which club or society they belong too.

But do you think it fair that anyone who has a good brief can dictate who can speak ? This is a Democratic society mate.

Everyone knows about the MJ and Macca items. Collectors and Dealers alike

Every Dealer I have spoke too knows about this affair and 50% of them are prepared to bury their heads in sand.

The other 50% due to threats or innuendo that action by legal or monetary means will be taken upon them have decided to look away

I am disgusted , I really am and I wish Steve Cirkin would just close these threads

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 4, 2013 at 2:01pm: Mick

I can assure you I will advise anyone who ever mentions MJ or Macca autographs to seek Authenticity

Who do we have in the UK now ?

Who is our Expert ?

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 4, 2013 at 2:06pm: Rick,

Thanks for your comments. As I have said the fun has gone from all of this due to greed and enormous amounts of money being made from dubious items, the world is full of fakes

I m distancing myself from this and I wish it would go away

Enough people know now where to buy there stuff from and who to go to for Authenticity. anyone who buys a MJ or McCartney in the UK is a absolute fool

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 4, 2013 at 2:19pm: Mick

I gather dealers have left some of these clubs

Some of these Dealers I have the utmost respect for, and I value them as associates and friends

They know what has gone on and this was their only way to hold there heads up

Some I gather will be leaving when their membership is up for renewal.

But..

I gather some are very frightened of repercussions via a third party, so they are prepared to just turn the other way

I feel so sorry for them, one Dealer told me that it would Financial cost them over £1000 to leave one club in third party fees. So he will not leave

Others are scared, remember that people have been threatened Financially and with Physical Violence for their silence.

I really just think we should move on now, £100,000s have been made and I hope they all enjoy themselves in their Castles and Mansions

But remember.............. What Goes around Comes around

Comment by Rick Meyer on April 4, 2013 at 5:08pm: Mick,

I appreciate your opinion on this. There may very well be some great sellers in the club. If after all this this they choose to remain in the club than my opinion has been stated. Speaking for myself if I had dues paid I would resign from the club in writing and let them know now that I will not be renewing. Thats me. I'm sure there will be varying opinions on it. None I imagine any more right than another.

I believe Gary to be an honest seller. I've bought from him before and I wilI again without hesitation. I believe Jason is as solid an autograph dealer as they come. I would buy from him without hesitation and already eyeballing his stuff. He has a couple things I really want.

As for the others I dont know them. I just know if they advertise the AFTAL banner I will not buy from them. Its my choice. I dont believe anybody on the level would be ok with what we've seen here. It makes no difference if it is the US, UK or the moon. Wrong is wrong. American dealers get called out here all the time.

I think these questioned AFTAL dealers know these are forgeries and chose stealing peoples money over protecting the customer. Somebody needs to call Scotland Yard.

Comment by Mick Taylor on April 5, 2013 at 8:11am: Gary, No it isnt fair that anyone who has a good brief can dictate who can speak on this. Unless someone can afford to stand upto them it will unfortunately be the case

With regards who to send potential buyers, of these items, too I would just send them in Rogers direction. I dont believe there is anyone in the UK

Comment by Mick Taylor on April 5, 2013 at 8:13am: Rick, A few AFTAL dealers Ive spoken to cant just leave as they have the AFTAL logo plastered all over their websites and ebay listings that will be VERO'd

I do agree with what your saying though

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