An ex-worker at Augusta National Golf Club has admitted to taking millions in value of Masters memorabilia and merchandise.
Richard Globensky, aged 39, confessed in a federal court in Chicago to repeatedly pilfering items while serving as a warehouse assistant at a golf club between 2009 and 2022, according to court documents from the US District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.
In his plea agreement, Globensky admitted to stealing memorabilia of historical significance, like the green jackets won by Masters champions Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan. The green jacket is presented to the tournament's winner every year and must be returned to the clubhouse after their reign as champion ends.
Additional memorabilia Globensky stole comprised documents and letters written and signed by tournament co-founder Bobby Jones, historical Masters Tournament records, an Augusta National clubhouse trophy, tickets and programs, and an unissued stock—all dating back to 1932, the year the club was founded.
Moreover, Globensky took shirts, jackets, hats, flags, and watches, among other merchandise, and sold them for approximately $5.3 million to a Florida-based online broker, while the memorabilia were sold for close to $300,000 to the same broker and an accomplice. The items were then resold at substantial markups in comparison to what the broker had paid.
Globensky faced charges for transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce, with the club losing approximately $3.5 million due to his actions, according to the documents.
Globensky's plea deal specifies that he "took steps to conceal his involvement in the theft and sale" of the merchandise. As a warehouse employee with detailed knowledge of the club's operation, Globensky ensured that the quantity of goods stolen never exceeded the auditing risk thresholds set by the club. He also instructed the broker to issue most of the payments utilizing his wife's name, not directly addressing Globensky. Subsequently, he established an LLC to receive payment for the purloined items.
In compliance with his plea arrangement, Globensky is required to provide the government with a $1.5 million check within one week of the guilty plea, which was rendered on Wednesday. Additionally, he must forfeit the $5.3 million comprising goods sold.
The United States Attorney's Office disclosed that the conviction entails up to a decade in federal prison. Prosecutors stipulated in the plea deal that if Globensky's cooperation remains constant, they plan to request a prison sentence ranging from 24 to 30 months for him. The former golf club employee is set to be punished on October 29.
Globensky's attorney, Tom Church, informed CNN that they "anticipate conveying the whole story before sentencing and shedding light on the honorable family man that Mr. Globensky is, and has consistently been, despite his prior indiscretions."
Church confirmed that the case was initiated in Chicago since some of the stolen items were subsequently discovered there.
The Masters, conducted annually in April, is one of the significant events in the sporting world as one of golf's four prestigious tournaments, along with the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship.
Distinct from the other majors, The Masters takes place at a constant location—Augusta National—since it was founded in 1932.
Scottie Scheffler, an American, is the reigning champion, having claimed a resounding four-stroke triumph in April of this year to regain the title he previously earned in 2022.
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Globensky's theft included stealing various golf-related merchandise, such as shirts, jackets, and watches, in addition to the valuable Masters memorabilia.
During his time as a warehouse assistant at the golf club, Globensky illegally sold millions of dollars worth of golf memorabilia, including items from golf legends like Arnold Palmer and Gene Sarazen.
Source: edition.cnn.com
