As a brief update to the various scandals involving allegedly fraudulent vintage movie posters circulating in the marketplace, two stories published online today by the New York Times report that Kerry T. Haggard has been arrested on mail fraud charges. A criminal complaint by the Manhattan U.S. attorney references the sale of at least $1 million dollars in fake material sold on eBay. The Times reports to have received an e-mail from Mr. Haggard last year in which he claimed to be the victim of a “colossal frame-up”.
According to the reports, the charges against Haggard were filed in New York, “where the fake materials were printed, according to the U.S. attorney’s office“, but Haggard was arrested in Georgia.
One of the reports continues:
Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a newly unsealed criminal complaint that Mr. Haggard defrauded buyers of at least $1 million by using eBay to sell fake promotional materials for movies like “Frankenstein,” “Son of Frankeinstein,” and “The Mummy’s Hand.”
Per the Times, Haggard would face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines if convicted.
The two reports can be found online on the New York Times website…
See “Georgia Man Arrested in Sale of Fake Movie Posters“:
See “Man Accused of Selling Fake Vintage Horror Movie Posters“:
The Athens Banner-Herald published a substantive article on this topic today…
See “Commerce movie poster merchant charged with mail fraud“:
Below is a quote from the FBI as published in the Athens Banner-Herald story:
“Authentic vintage movie posters are valuable pieces of memorabilia sometimes worth thousands of dollars. But Haggard wasn’t a legitimate purveyor of fine collectibles,” said FBI Special Agent-in-Charge George Venizelos. “He created and peddled fakes. Whether the merchandise is artwork, baseball memorabilia, or movie posters, if you try to peddle fakes, you’ll draw the attention of not just potential purchasers, but the FBI.”
As reported previously, multiple independent lawsuits have been filed against Mr. Haggard by multiple parties, including Profiles in History, Ron Magid, and James Gresham (see “Profiles in History Files Lawsuits Against Fraudulent Movie Poster Auction Consignors“, see “Round-Up: More Media Coverage on Fraudulent Vintage Horror Movie Poster Scandal & Lawsuits“).
As reported in January, the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was seeking victims who purchased fake horror movie posters and lobby cards on eBay over the past three years (see “Poster Fraud Update: Reports of FBI Investigation Seeking eBay Victims, Multiple Civil Lawsuits“).
All related articles published by the Original Prop Blog can be found via the link below (Market Watch | Posters, One Sheets, Lobby Cards):
Original Prop Blog will continue to monitor these developments related to the movie poster scandal at large.
Jason DeBord