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American Royal Arts Corp. and Jerry Gladstone Sued by Beatles Expert Frank Caiazzo [Apr. 13 Update]

Case settled. Read report on settlement here:

http://live.autographmagazine.com/profiles/blogs/jerry-gladstone-an...

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2010: Beatles autograph expert and authenticator Frank Caiazzo filed suit today against memorabilia dealer American Royal Arts Corp. and its president, Jerry Gladstone.

"Frank Caiazzo v. American Royal Arts Corp. and Jerry Gladstone" was filed Thursday morning, Sept. 23, in the New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County.

According to the suit, Caiazzo seeks to recover compensatory damages, punitive damages and legal fees of no less than $500,000. The causes of action listed in the suit include: Defamation, Trade Libel, Tortious Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage, and Prima Facie Tort.

Caiazzo's damages claimed in the suit revolve around a lawsuit American Royal Arts filed against him in Florida for calling a Revolver album they sold as signed by the Beatles a forgery. After almost three years, that case hasn't moved beyond a battle over jurisdiction. Last fall the Lower Court ruled that Florida was the proper venue for the case, and Caiazzo has appealed the decision.

Ironically, American Royal Arts' lawsuit against Caiazzo caught the attention of the New York Office of the FBI, which launched a criminal investigation into Jerry Gladstone and a number of his associates, including American Royal Arts' autograph suppliers and authenticators, over the suspected trafficking in forged autographs and memorabilia. The investigation is ongoing.

On August 14, 2010, American Royal Arts filed for an "Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors," a Florida form of corporate dissolution similar to a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court. According to reported deposition testimony by American Royal Arts VP Agnes Palmer, inventory unsalable due to the FBI investigation was one of the leading reasons for the filing.

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Blog Update Sept. 26: Revolver Revealed

The album above is the Revolver album purportedly signed by the Beatles that American Royal Arts sued Frank Caiazzo over for calling a Southern California forgery. Jerry Gladstone never posted the album online and it was not attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit.

We don't know anyone who has seen the Revolver album since the suit was filed. While not a trusted source, one of American Royal Arts' authenticators, Mike Frost of P.A.A.S., told us that he asked to see the Revolver album and Gladstone refused to even show it to him.

See the related story: Beatles-Signed Abbey Road Albums: What's Real? What's Fake?

Tags: American, Arts, Beatles, FBI, Revolver, Royal, caiazzo, forgeries, gladstone, jerry, More…lawsuit

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Comment by James R. Altmann on September 27, 2010 at 9:11pm: Thank you for posting this scan! There was a JPG photo of another "signed" Revolver that was being passed around autoraph circles that was supposedly the defamed cover. This is not it, but could be more convincing to a novice than the fake "fake" Revolver I saw a couple of years ago that was supposed to be the one in question. You've just got to love the way this one was signed at the same angle by each of them.

Comment by Bill Panagopulos on September 29, 2010 at 12:32am: Ughhh. Looks "newly-born" to me, too.

Who is "Paulm Cartney"? Wasn't he the guy they called the "Fifth Beatle"?

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 29, 2010 at 12:42am: James, I have 3-4 Revolver images from AA that look very similar to this one.

Comment by Richard S. Simon on September 30, 2010 at 11:00am: Good one Bill,,, always knew you were a funny guy.

Comment by Bill Panagopulos on October 2, 2010 at 9:37pm: Thanks, Rich. You know my position vis-a-vis Frank vs. ARA. Afraid I just can't comment any further - every time I speak honestly and impartially on this site, I get crucified by one side or the other. I'm better off just shuttingup and taking care of business.

Comment by Matthew Knox on October 14, 2010 at 8:19pm: I have an opportunity to buy a beetles signed album with coa from frank. $300. Should I be worried?

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 14, 2010 at 8:37pm: Must be a Please Please Me. ;)

Comment by Matthew Knox on October 14, 2010 at 9:23pm: Meet the Beatles. And I do know it's not beetles...as in my previous post... But my iPhone doesn't. Originally purchased through heritage auctions.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 14, 2010 at 10:08pm: Heritage has never sold a band-signed Meet the Beatles. I just checked their archives. That album would likely bring upper 5-figures even in this economy if it's decent, since it's a US release. Caiazzo LOAs (COAs) are faked all the time.

Comment by DB on October 15, 2010 at 2:31am: So Steve - interesting point often overlooked - faked COAs and then the inability to validate them. So places like this http://www.beatles4me.com/Index%20Manager/Beatles%20General%20Rare%... can advertise the connection while warning to be on the lookout. How does anyone know that any LOA/COA is itself authenticate. Some like PSA/DNA, Steiner maintain registries but one day they may no longer be in business - then what?

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