eBAY
Although I cannot presently find any mention of my services on eBAY, I have been informed by clients that eBAY formerly had a policy of not accepting Certificates of Authenticity bearing my name or company.
It is my opinion that eBAY’s concern was that some of my certificates had been copied and applied to items that had never been inspected or submitted to me personally for review. Since then, I have changed the bond and stationary markings that I use for my certificates, I now assign a tamper proof hologram on both the inspected item and certificate (when applicable/practical), I mark the item in ink and/or infrared ink when practical), and sign each certificate of authenticity with a blue ink pen, so as to be distinguishable from a black/white normal photo-copy of a document. I believe that I have taken every practical precaution to insure that the certificate that accompanies an inspected item is indeed original and genuine, and can be matched to a specific, identified item.
eBAY also utilizes the professional services of PSA/DNA and their former authenticator, Mr. Jim Spence. Although they no longer are affiliated together, I believe that Mr. Spence and some of his colleagues, harbor a negative predisposition toward my opinions, and I believe that they rarely will authenticate any item previously submitted and passed by me. I personally do not understand this position, and all I ask is that the collector read my educational background and trainings, my work experience, seminars and publications in the field of forensic handwriting examination, the agency’s, law enforcement affiliations, and investigations and court proceedings that I have been a part of, and couple that with my credentials as a court certified expert in my field, before accepting the opinion of any anointed industry expert in the authentification business today. Clearly, there is a standard to which all forensic examiners should be held.
Additionally, eBAY has warned its collectors to be aware of the findings of Operation Bullpen and a myriad of authenticators who have been prosecuted and/or plea-bargained their way through this investigation. Although investigated (like many others), I have Never been indicted and/or accused by the FBI, or any law enforcement agency of conspiring to defraud or being a co-conspirator in any of the cases winding their way through the criminal justice system. In fact, I have cooperated in every which way possible, to assist the FBI and its counterparts in bringing this ugly investigation to its conclusion. Time and testimony in this investigation, will only fortify my role in assisting with the conclusion of this case.
Finally, I do not believe that a professional opinion can be rendered from a scan and/or a picture, any more so, than should the opinion of a professional autograph seeker be relegated to a position where he/she is called upon as a so called “ expert “ to render an opinion. These opinions are best left to those schooled, educated and trained in the field of forensic handwriting analysis.
