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 theresa fleming on May 19, 2011 at 7:55pm: Yes, my father is in the US Army. My father's friends, my parents & I have purchased several items (My parents mostly). Its just a shame that things like this happen. It's taking advantage of so many people. Thank you for your input! I greatly appreciate it. And I will be sure to share this link with others....

Now I have to break the news to my husband that his prize collectors items are a fraud.....I wish there was something I could do about this. Good luck to you! I really hope that the truth will be exposed and justice will be served. THANK YOU again for all your help.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 19, 2011 at 8:59pm: Theresa,
We'll try to help you get your money back for any forgeries. Please take clear, high resolution images (scans or photos) of your items, plus your COAs, receipts, etc., and email them to editor@autographmagazine.com.

Comment by Rick Meyer on May 19, 2011 at 10:45pm: Wow. Unbelievable. Steve, that looks exactly like the 500 HR photo I sent you. I am still working on the memo. I should have it done tonite. Sorry for the delay. Packing to move has put me way behind schedulke on things. It is a copy of the original poster. If you look at it close you'll see the lightning bolts are not centered and are cut off. Even the picture itself is a forgery of the actual lithograph.

Comment by DB on May 20, 2011 at 2:43am: Theresa ~ alas, all that has been said already but the Peanut Gallery is yet again disappointed by places and people taking advantage of others to make a $. Moreso in this case as it involves a military famiy. Can't go wrong with Steiner (but it's always good to be on the look-out when it's not one of their coa).

The Burcyzk COA ~ well that COA was recently banned on EBAY as there is more than substantial evidence that they are associated with nothing but fraudulent items. For that matter some even question the existence of the individual.

Comment by theresa fleming on May 20, 2011 at 5:51am: I had no idea about any of this! I normally buy direct from Steiner, but the few times I strayed - I guess I got burned! Note to self for the future I guess!

BTW, the place I purchased the balls was "American Classics" which had a "410" area code phone number (Maryland???) ....which when I tried this morning to call - is out of service. Not looking good for me! But my only hope is those are the balls that came with the Scoreboard & Morales COA (which doesn't look the same as it does today...it was on white paper 8.5x11 size - not the smaller cream ones they are today)...and i purchased them back in 2005...so MAYBE they are real....LET'S HOPE! If those are fake, they would be the most disappointing pieces in this whole situation.

I will collect all my info, take new photos and put it together this weekend and email you, Mr. Cyrkin. I just need some time for the billing info on the two baseballs as I had purchased them back in 2005. I called my credit card company to get a copy of that statement so I should have it shortly.I will also visit my parents this weekend and take photos of their items as well. I will send you everything this weekend (except the baseball billing..I need about another week for that) Thank you again!!

Disappointing is the best way to put it DB....disappointing and just plain vicious that people take advantage of others like this.

Thank you all for your insights & comments. I greatly appreciate it.

You have my full support & gratitude!

Comment by Steve Zarelli on May 20, 2011 at 6:02am: The problem with the ScoreBoard COAs is that they did not have a matching hologram or image of the item. So, it could be a fake (photocopied) Scoreboard cert, OR it could even be a real Scoreboard cert that has been swapped out with a forged ball.

In this case, the item itself needs to be examined. The COA can't establish authenticity.

Comment by CJCollector on May 20, 2011 at 6:58am: Theresa, don't feel too bad. In my estimation there are millions of people who unknowingly own forgeries. The internet is a huge universe of bad sellers feeding on the unsuspected.

The problem is that the majority (70%-80%) of people who want to own and collect autograph don't know anything about autographs. And I won't apologize for being blunt. But it is the buyers that keep those sellers in business. The buyers believe that because an autograph is accompanied by a piece of paper called a Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) that the autograph must be authentic.

There are more forgeries in the marketplace than there are genuine autographs. Years ago I exposed a seller on Ebay (they are since removed a long time ago) who sold approximately $750,000 in autographed guitars and drum heads. And that was just one seller.

Sellers like that prey on the fact that so-called collectors and fans want some kind of "connection" to their favorite athlete or movie star. That emotional connection is unfortunately stronger and more powerful than common sense.

It's sad but true, the buyers are the people that keep those sellers in business.

Comment by Rick Meyer on May 20, 2011 at 7:43am: Chris is exactly right. There are far more beginners or inexperienced collectors then there are knowledgeable collectors. These are the ones being targeted. The buyer that pays $30 for a Mantle or Dimaggio is less likely to spend the $75 to have a real authentication done. What they do is stick it in a $4 frame from Walmart, leave the dirtbag seller positive feedback about how fast the shipping was and try to impress their friends. Most will never know that what they own is a fake. There are no bottomed out bargains on authentic Mantle's, Williams, Dimaggio and Ali signatures. Owners of proven authentic would never let these go for 25 or 30 bucks. The fear of buying a fake signature has shrunk the market of buyers and lowered the prices on authentic signatures far more then the poor economy has.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 20, 2011 at 8:01am: I wonder how many families of dead soldiers have been left with the forgeries from AAFES, and even credit card debt from buying them, as a legacy.