Forgery Suspect Released From Jail

While the investigation of two sports memorabilia store owners arrested on suspicion of forgery and grand theft continues, one of the owners was released from the East County Jail last week after striking a deal with Nevada prosecutors over three felony warrants, authorities said.

Cheryl Goldberg, who owns The Original Moook in Moorpark with her husband, Jack, had been detained since June 24 on felony warrants out of Las Vegas for allegedly writing checks with insufficient funds. Jack Goldberg was released from jail two weeks ago, after posting $10,000 bail.

The Goldbergs were arrested during a raid on their West Los Angeles Avenue store after a monthlong investigation into allegations that they were selling forged sports collectibles, authorities said. Authorities allege that the Goldbergs sold more than $20,000 in forged merchandise over the past two years.

Jack Goldberg has denied knowing that the sports memorabilia in question might have been forgeries.

Cheryl Goldberg was released on $10,000 bail last week after reaching an agreement with the Clark County district attorney’s office, said Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Julie Smith.

Clark County Deputy Dist. Atty. Daniel Ahlstrom said Cheryl Goldberg has agreed to pay restitution to a number of casinos.

Ahlstrom believed Cheryl Goldberg owed $20,000 to $30,000 to casinos throughout the city, but could not verify the amount because of computer problems.

During the June 24 raid, deputies seized what was believed to be several thousand dollars worth of items featuring the allegedly forged autographs of home run king Mark McGwire, Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal and other athletes.

Since then, 10 alleged victims have come forward accusing The Original Moook of selling them fraudulent memorabilia, said Sgt. Terry Hughes of the Moorpark office of the Sheriff’s Department.

Hughes said investigators, along with members of Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa’s management, believe that several items the Goldbergs claimed were autographed by Sosa are forgeries.

The Ventura County district attorney’s office recently obtained a one-month postponement on the Goldberg case, pushing the couple’s court date back until sometime early next month, Hughes said.