Extra: In Trading Card Fraud Trial Fight Curcio Files Email from MySlabs about Michael Jordan Card - more here
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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 21 – Two men were charged with trading card fraud in 2024. On January 14, 2026 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Ronnie Abrams, one of them testified against the other. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted, here:
Witness: I think Anthony [Curcio] wanted revenge on PSA. He was working on a short movie. He also thought we should make money off youth basketball
Witness: A card buyer from NY called and threatened me, mentioned my ex-wife. Then a guy called from Dallas, said he’d fly and find me. Anthony told me he resolved it with them.
On January 15, after other witnesses, the cooperator was back on the stand, still on direct. He was shown photos of his co-defendant’s Lego mansion, and use of his name in e-mails.
Behind the scenes, the parties exchange letters about the scope of cross examination of the cooperator, how much of Curcio’s history with and feelings about PSA can get in. Both letters on Patreon here
On January 16, Curcio’s Simpson Thacher lawyer was crossing examining the cooperator, running into objection when questions turned to what Curcio said about PSA.
In the run up to closings, Curcio’s white shoe CJA lawyers filed an email “From: David Steinberger Sent: Monday, May 16, 2022 12:02 PM To: Matt Greaney; Anthony Curcio Subject: Re: 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan PSA 10 issue Hi Matt. Hi Anthony. Yes, unfortunately, I can confirm that the label is not authentic. Someone from our Customer Request Center will reach out to you shortly to discuss next steps. Dave.”
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Court art courtesy to Inner City Press by Elizabeth Willliams: FBI Agent Christopher Campbell testifying showing a false trading card. Defendant Anthony Curcio seated in foreground. Assistant US Attorney Kingdar Prussien standing at the podium.
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