Attorney General's News Release

April 29, 1999

Sellers of bats with forged McGwire autographs agree to stop selling bogus memorabilia, pay $37,500 to state

St. Louis, MO — SMissouri Attorney General Jay Nixon today obtained court-approved consent judgments requiring two individuals and three businesses in Florida and Pennsylvania to stop any sales or advertising of merchandise with forged autographs and pay a total of $37,500 in penalties and costs to the state. Nixon sued the defendants last year over a shipment of baseball bats bearing forged signatures of St. Louis Cardinals star Mark McGwire.

The defendants affected by the orders include Events Made E Z Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla.; Edward Zuckerman, of Boca Raton; East Coast Collectibles Inc., of Doylestown, Pa.; Harris Pharmacy Inc., d/b/a Sports Cards Etc., of Doylestown; and Harris Bogdnoff, of Doylestown.

Nixon filed his lawsuit last summer after learning that Bogdnoff and his business sold 125 baseball bats bearing purported Mark McGwire signatures to Zuckerman and his business, who in turn, sold them to the Keebler Co. for use in a promotion that was later cancelled. The bats carried certificates of authenticity that were also determined to be bogus.

"There were those who used the excitement of last year's home run chase to fraudulently sell items that supposedly were Mark McGwire-related," Nixon said. "Mr. McGwire's position on autographs is well-known and well-respected. Because he will sign items for kids at games and to help support the charitable efforts of Cardinals Care and his own foundation for children, the scarcity of commercial items with his genuine autograph should serve as a precaution to potential buyers. This case brings attention to the fact that even certificates of authenticity do not guarantee an item is genuine."

The orders prevent the defendants from by selling, offering or attempting to sell counterfeit merchandise or items with bogus autographs in, from or into the state of Missouri; or from certifying, representing or authenticating any memorabilia as genuine unless they have personal and actual knowledge the memorabilia is genuine or authentic.

Bogdnoff and his businesses must pay $22,500 in penalties and costs to the state; Zuckerman and his business must pay $15,000 in penalties and costs to the state.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818