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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 scott on March 28, 2011 at 7:05pm: I was a very skeptical about authenticity when I first started collecting autographs. I spent a month searching to find a reliable autograph supplier. The best that I could do was find American Royal Arts and Rock Star Gallery. The stuff came with a COA from a court approved forensic examiner. I thought that these were both reliable autograph dealers. If they were blatantly selling forged autographs, I would have expected that the authorities would have closed them down.

I really like how Autograph Magazine Live has a section entitled The War on Forgery. I hope that the truth is made very public from the upcoming court case concerning Chris Morales and his friends.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on March 29, 2011 at 6:05am: Chris mentioned "Sincitycards"

In general, I think any seller out of Las Vegas should be viewed with great caution. In my experience, the bad outweigh the good by an overwhelming degree. This goes for autographs, cards and comics!!

Comment by CJCollector on March 29, 2011 at 6:32am: To the casual collector I guess "American Royal Arts," "Rock Star Gallery" and Chris Morales "Forensic Examiner" sounds quite impressive.

I've been gathering a lot of data (10 years) watching Ebay buyers of garbage, and there is one thing for certain, and that is the casual collector is definitely lured by certain Ebay IDs. That is what first attracts the casual buyer of autographs first. The name. And sellers of garbage know that. Before they decide to sell on Ebay choosing a name is most important.

It's sad but it is true.

Comment by DB on March 29, 2011 at 6:38am: Chris - not anymore (to some of us that is)... Once Cyrkin decided to speak out he along with others became the focus of the attack by the true ("horses A S Ses") that didn't want their offerings and fraud secrets exposed.

I forget who it was said by but one of our members; "it's all about the benjamins"!

Comment by CJCollector on March 29, 2011 at 6:39am

Comment by Steve Zarelli on March 29, 2011 at 6:51am: It's a genuine Milkey Mautle!

Comment by Fuddjcal on March 29, 2011 at 7:44am: That has to be the funniest Mantle Fake.....really just one of the worst ever! Not ONE LETTER IS RIGHT. The fact that the crook Morales has gotten away with this for so long is a crime. With all his credentials, there is NO WAY HE DOESNT KNOW THATS FAKE. The fact that these are the newer versions of his Certificate and beautiful gold hologram is what is so troubling. There must be many of these still non certed floating around the forgers lockers though you NEVER see these with-out a cert. First, the old Morales certification, now these gold holograms. Same for STAT. Why do you see these same forgeries with TTA now. Both these new certs TTA & Gold Morales Holos have only been around for a year which means these F'ers just won't, don't and can't help themselves. They are Greddy slobs. I hope I live long enough to see TTA/STAT/MORAL ASS to get what's coming to them. Maybe a nice Fake Mickey Mantle Signed Bat about the neck, face, arms, chest and head would help knock some sense into them because they clearly have NONE.

Comment by Chad B on March 29, 2011 at 7:52am: I agree with Fuddjcal, that is a beautiful certificate and hologram. I won't buy any autographs from him but if I ever need certificates printed, he is my guy.

Comment by Richard Kim on March 29, 2011 at 9:12am: If you are the actual owner of the fake item and/or COA, then please register them in MemReg.com (as exemplar) so that it can be documented and compared with all other items. As mentioned, all information from private websites or auctions sites can be removed and changed, so that the evidence can go away. Also, blog sites are great for discussions, but not good for compiling, storing and finding data for thousands of items.