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:

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Comment by Rich on April 3, 2013 at 1:41pm: I'm sure there are still plenty of good dealers who belong to AFTAL, but the organization itself seems to be at it's end - at least as far as credibility goes.

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 3, 2013 at 2:00pm: Grant

apologies as above mate

I have just been informed from another UK Dealer that he is not touching Jackson signed items EVER ! He told me that its not worth the hassle. How can anyone be sure !

I advised him that no matter what happens items Authenticated by Roger Epperson and R+R would have good standing

Ask either to Authenticate, but he said it isn't worth the hassle.

I believe that's the attitude here now. Obviously dealers that get offered items here will probably just pass on them and not make an opinion. Even to the point of not even advising the Vendor of any problem regarding Authenticity

Its a shame and a utter disgrace. The Jackson autograph is now dead in the UK

Grant, my opinion is to obtain Authentication help on any major investment, in fact anything you consider and you don't know the Seller I would check prior to spending your dosh mate

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 3, 2013 at 2:27pm: Rich

I have given up talking about all UK Autograph Dealer Membership Clubs

I am disillusioned by all recent events

The clubs have by their Silence and Non Condemnation of the dubious Jacksons and McCartney's and by not declaring them Fake in fact given the impression they are Genuine

In fact as it appears to a lot of UK Dealers, who I have spoken to recently they are saying they are Genuine. They want proof they are fake. No announcement stating they are Fake has been made by any UK Autograph Club or Society

Some Dealers are even saying its all trouble raised by Americans who are Anti British ! lol

In fact it has been recently quoted to me that the word from the UK is ' Authenticity on any Jackson or McCartney Autograph should be made from a Registered Authenticator that is NOT associated with AML, otherwise it will not be recognised in the UK'

We need to move on. Its going nowhere

Plenty of serious profit has been made and no one wants to talk about Refunds , Forgeries or Authenticity

Its a crying shame but that's how it appears from the UK

Comment by Rich on April 3, 2013 at 2:42pm: Sounds like several dealers disinterested in doing the right thing, especially if it's time consuming, costly and somewhat complex.

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 3, 2013 at 2:48pm: Not just that Rich, some don't wanna rock the boat

Threats and Innuendos to anyone who dares cross the Leaders, it never changes

Thru History this is the way Gangs/ Societies work,

I knew this early on and I chose my path

I will..... I assure you if ever offered a dubious Jackson or McCartney advise the vendor of what has gone on here for the past 10 months. I will direct them to Authenticators I trust.

If this ruffles a few feathers here then so be it

Comment by MJ-fan-1965 on April 3, 2013 at 2:50pm: That's sort of amusing since it was American's who turned on an American Auction house as well for forged signatures.

I have a question. Is there a governing body (like our American FBI) over there that might still be doing an investigation and so you don't hear whats happening? I know this stuff doesn't happen over night.

Juliens is about to launch into another Music Icons sale, and will have "over 450" Jackson items available..... http://www.juliensauctions.com/press/2013/music-icons.html - as I mentioned in the Bush thread, nothing is better than money, except more money. And eventually greed catches up. I'll be watching the auction closely for sure.

Comment by Gary Harvey on April 3, 2013 at 3:02pm: MJ Fan

please read thru the pages of threads on this subject and the related ones raised by the Fakes in question. You will see UK Dealers have suspicion on these threads as a Anti British thing lol

I m A British citizen and it does not matter who raises what in respect of Authenticity, a fake is a fake in whatever country

A lot of money was made from Jackson items that have been classed as Forgeries or Secaterials.

I do not see a rush in refunding anyone who bought said items, in fact the policy is to shut up, bury your head in the sand and say nothing !

Comment by MJ-fan-1965 on April 3, 2013 at 3:17pm: Right. I have read them and have been following along. What I'm saying though, is we also turned on our own American Auction house (Juliens), so it makes no sense that they think its just Anti-British or just targeting Brits. It's a crime period. That's what's being targeted (forgeries).

I certainly can understand AFTAL not wanting to admit anything though, since they are sort of like the "nod" of authenticity over there. Julien's is just an auction house so they really don't compare.

Comment by Mick Taylor on April 3, 2013 at 3:45pm: Gary,

You wrote "The clubs have by their Silence and Non Condemnation of the dubious Jacksons and McCartney's and by not declaring them Fake in fact given the impression they are Genuine"

I dont agree with this mate. I think everyone knows the score with the authenticity of these items just because they arent prepared to stick their own necks on the line and scream it from the roof tops doesnt mean its gone away or will ever

No one here in the Uk will go against AFTALs stance on these as they simply cant afford to. It would be very difficult, if at all possible, to go against them in a British court and prove that the items werent authentic. Things like this just dont work the same here in the UK as they do in the US

Comment by Mick Taylor on April 3, 2013 at 3:46pm: Unfortunately I believe the best we can all do now is educate people when these show up on the market

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