Kevin Keating responds to shill bidding allegations

drcy · #1 02-09-2016, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Higher prices make the authentication company look better. Given all the people who shilled the Mastro auctions for monetary gain, I don't understand why it is implausible that TPA employees would shill up their company's authenticated items for the same reason.

I actually hadn't thought of that angle. But, as I said, my personal rule is I wouldn't bid on anything I authenticated-- to steer way clear of any perception or even misperception of conflict of interest or whatever. That you were able to just come up with a new reason I hadn't thought of why not to bid is exactly why I wouldn't bid.

I think the entire authentication and grading aspect of the hobby is messed up on many fronts, which is why I don't participate in that. I used to write a few LOAs here and there (not suggesting there was great demand) and almost solely for collectors, but quit. That's no commentary on Kevin, as I have no special insight on his situation and have no reason to doubt what he says-- and I've never dealt with autographs. I just think that the ways things are set up, and the expectations of the hobby visa vie people giving opinions, is mixed up.

I did archiving for a historical museum and discovered they had no interest or knowledge what items were worth and had never sold a thing. The executive director was surprised when I pointed out that some of their items had market value, and another person there said she didn't think they were even legally allowed to sell anything. All they cared about was the items being accurately identified and described for their records. How refreshing, I thought. The museum's archiving system had its own set of annoying peculiarities, but maximizing resale value wasn't one of them.

Runscott · #2 02-09-2016, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drcy

I actually hadn't thought of that angle. But, as I said, my personal rule is I wouldn't bid on anything I authenticated-- to steer way clear of any perception or even misperception of conflict of interest or whatever. And marketing has never been my strong point

Your integrity is why your name isn't on any shill lists.

drcy · #3 02-09-2016, 01:20 AM

A funny story from the museum is I was cataloging a bunch of photos (a painstaking process at a museum) and at the end of the day I asked the head archivist if I could take them home with me to continue work on them at home. She said "I've worked at museums for twenty five years, and you're the first person to ever ask that question." She said she didn't know what was the rule, but said that if I had taken them home and returned with them the next day probably no one would have noticed.

Another funny story is the head archivist was 76 and, shall we say, not computer savvy. I was researching several mystery donations and she was amazed at all the information I found out about them. She said "How'd you get all that information?" and I said "Wikipedia."

ErikV · #4 02-09-2016, 03:38 AM

I'm a little confused as to why Kevin is taking any heat at all. Here it's become
clear that M+L has been running a scandalous operation. They have been found
guilty in a court of law and are being sentenced for their crimes. On the other hand,
Mr. Keating has been forthright in wanting to clear his name. He's emailed all of his
customers (I also received his email) explaining his side of the story. He's come on
the board and has answered all questions presented to him. Between M+L having
the reputation and court conviction of criminal activity, their word is worthless.
It would not surprise me that they did something like this behind a customers back.
In M+L "poisoning the well" along with having several prior dealings with Mr. Keating,
this is slam-dunk case for me. I believe Mr. Keating 100%.

ErikV

Spahn21 · #5 02-09-2016, 07:30 AM

Yesterday, I released two statements. One is posted here, and the other was sent to my email-subscriber (E-S) list.

The �guts� of both are the same, though I necessarily provided more background information to my E-S list knowing that many there would be reading this story for the first time, and necessarily needed greater context.

I made my last posts on Net 54 at around 2:00 am this morning before finally going to bed. Now that I am up again with some coffee in me, I have re-read those posts, and I want to clarify one thing.

Where I say:

"My lawyer has advised me that I do not need a written statement because the U.S. Attorney's Office in charge of the case approved my statement last week."

I am referring to this statement:

�The U.S. Attorney�s Office has confirmed that it has absolutely no evidence that I shill bid on any item, and that these 38 lots were added to EE because M-L violated its own publically released rules (COC, paragraph 2) by their acceptance and inclusion of my bids on items they knew were owned by M-L, a M-L employee or a M-L affiliate � and not because of any wrongdoing by me.�

I was NOT referring to the full body of the Net 54 post or the email that I sent to my E-S list. I realize that this clarification is unnecessary for most, but I want to be crystal clear to everyone, as to what exact "statement" I am referring to.

brob28 · #6 02-09-2016, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spahn21

Yesterday, I released two statements. One is posted here, and the other was sent to my email-subscriber (E-S) list.

The “guts” of both are the same, though I necessarily provided more background information to my E-S list knowing that many there would be reading this story for the first time, and necessarily needed greater context.

I made my last posts on Net 54 at around 2:00 am this morning before finally going to bed. Now that I am up again with some coffee in me, I have re-read those posts, and I want to clarify one thing.

Where I say:

"My lawyer has advised me that I do not need a written statement because the U.S. Attorney's Office in charge of the case approved my statement last week."

I am referring to this statement:

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed that it has absolutely no evidence that I shill bid on any item, and that these 38 lots were added to EE because M-L violated its own publically released rules (COC, paragraph 2) by their acceptance and inclusion of my bids on items they knew were owned by M-L, a M-L employee or a M-L affiliate – and not because of any wrongdoing by me.”

I was NOT referring to the full body of the Net 54 post or the email that I sent to my E-S list. I realize that this clarification is unnecessary for most, but I want to be crystal clear to everyone, as to what exact "statement" I am referring to.

Kevin,

I know you're not asking for advice but I really think you should have another discussion with your attorney about getting something in writing from the DA. I do not know you, and I'm sure like many have posted your a man of integrity - that being the case I would work tirelessly to get something in writing that proves my innocence if I were you. Not saying your story is not true, but if I were on that list for the reasons you are I would want something better than my attorney saying I don't need something in writing, after all doubts could affect your future business. Conversely, if I were on this list (I'm not) and had shilled, I would now use the same or similar reasoning you did particularly if people in the hobby accepted an explanation without proof. Again, not attacking but I cannot understand why & think its a mistake for you to not get something in writing.

batsballsbases · #7 02-09-2016, 07:37 AM

Kevin,
Thankyou for your post it does clear up some points as to why your name appears 38 times on the list. So far you are one of the few that at least has a believable explanation. I hope all works out for you ....

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