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NBC News Investigates Julien's Auction's Michael Jackson Autograph Scandal

NBC News Los Angeles aired an investigative report on Julien's Auction's Tompkins & Bush Michael Jackson sale on Tuesday, Dec. 18's 11:00 News. Watch the report and read the accompanying article on NBC Los Angeles's website.

Julien's held the Tompkins & Bush Michael Jackson auction on December 2, but outrage has flooded Michael Jackson fan sites and the world of rock autographs since mid-November, as fans, dealers and collectors alike told Julien's CEO, Darren Julien, that almost all of the autographs in the sale were obvious forgeries.

The pleas to cancel the sale fell on deaf ears. All 290 lots of autographs were sold for a total of almost $1.5 million. The only autograph in the sale commonly believed to be genuine brought $896.

A discussion on this site about it, Michael Jackson Signing Styles in Julien's Tompkins and Bush Sale, was started on November 19. At 153 pages to date it is the longest discussion in the history of Autograph Magazine Live. Scores of suspected forgeries from the sale have been analyzed in the discussion. The consensus is that the most of the autographs were likely forged by the consignor, Jackson's long-time friend and costume designer, Michael Bush. The autographs have many of Bush's handwriting characteristics.

Julien's filed a copyright infringement claim against Autograph Magazine Live on December 13. On Dec. 17, our website company removed all the images Julien's claimed violated their copyright from this site pending our response and any further actions Julien's may take. We are legally allowed to use the images under Fair Use laws, and will file our counterclaim this week.

We will have uncontested images of autographs from the auction up starting tomorrow.

UPDATE: According to NBC, Darren Julien said that any client who questions the authenticity of the Michael Jackson autographs they bought in the Tompkins & Bush auction can return them for a refund. If Julien's will cover shipping both ways, that's the best news possible.

Tags: Julien's, michael jackson, nbc, tompkins and bush

7 members like this

Comment by Veronica Shultz on December 20, 2012 at 4:36pm: I hope they will refund. I can't afford anything more in this.

Comment by TeamMichael777 on December 20, 2012 at 4:49pm: Veronica file a lawsuit, i have been in touch with an attorney he will not charge you anything, it will be on contingency, I say file a lawsuit so others can join you, and to bring attention to this fraud, many are not aware they have been scammed, Juliens need to be taught a lesson here, they were informed the sigs are fakes but didnt care, all they saw was the dollar sign, i have been in touch with an attorney if anyone wants free counsel

Comment by Jessica on December 20, 2012 at 7:28pm: Here is my MJ autograph.

Comment by TeamMichael777 on December 20, 2012 at 8:17pm: Jessica what year was this supposed to be signed?

Comment by Moon Street on December 21, 2012 at 2:38am: hey everyone,

I was contacted on twitter by a fan who has seen me tweeting about all this. this is the twitter conversation

Fan :no-one's signature is identical each time they write it. The standee is a problem worthy of an answer tho. Despite the doubts of some I will not be asking for my money back on the two autographed items I won.

Me :can I ask which items you won? That is your right to ask for a refund or not but you should be aware that if you in the future wish to sell these items, the providence may be tainted, that by being part of this auction pple will be reluctant to buy them. providence is what is important to collectors & buyers, what makes the difference & unfortunatly now your is tainted

Fan : thanx for yr concern. My items are lots 874 magazine and 947 ghosts box set. I am not interested in reselling. l am not inclined to distrust MLB (I have met him) but of course am curious given all the controversy. I worry about negativity.

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so I first went and had a look at MY Ghosts Box Set. As I thought, MB is not listed in the credits. I then did a search, Juliens sold the Ghosts costumes LOT 948 clearly stating A group of costumes designed by Warden Neil, worn in Michael Jackson's short film Ghosts

So why was a Ghosts Box Set signed to Bush LOT 947 in the auction, when Bush had nothing to do with GHOSTS????

Also this is the other item this person bought LOT 847 A Bravo Magazine signed Love Michael Jackson

Comment by Jessica on December 21, 2012 at 6:21am: TeamMichael,

This was signed in May 2009 outside of his doctor's office. Is this how he was signing during his last few months? I've posted on here, and everyone says it is okay. Mr. Roger Epperson (sp?) said it looked good as well.

Comment by Donald Thomas on December 21, 2012 at 7:41am: Steve and TeamMicheal777, I would like to learn more on both options (lawsuit and arbitration). I sent messages to you both directly with my contact information...Thanks, Don

Comment by just some dude on December 21, 2012 at 4:41pm: WOW!! BRAVO to everyone who stood up and took a stand and shame on those who snickered. Michael is smiling somewhere, I'm sure :)

Comment by roger epperson on December 24, 2012 at 7:36am: "Snickered" hell Steve and I have been abused over this!

Comment by Donald Thomas on December 25, 2012 at 1:31pm: Hello TeamMicheal777, Roger and Steve,

First Merry Christmas!! Second the verdict is in on Lot 555. I had PSA/DNA and GA Authentics evaluate the MJ signature on my item and the result was 'Likely Not Genuine' from both services. Shortly I will send a request to Juliens Auctions requesting a full refund based on my findings. To date Juliens has not responded to a email sent last night sharing my concerns.

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