A former employee of Augusta National Golf Club was sentenced to a year in federal prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce.
Richard Globensky, 40, stole millions of dollars of Masters merchandise and memorabilia over more than a decade (2009-22) while employed as a warehouse assistant.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Globensky sold the merchandise to an online broker for around $5.3 million, and the memorabilia was sold to the same broker and one of the broker’s associate for nearly $300,000.
The brokers then resold the items, including Green Jackets awarded to Masters champions Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan.
Golf Digest reported one of the buyers of merchandise from Globensky was Kenley Matheny, who owns MMO Golf (formerly known as Masters Mail Order), a Masters merchandise reseller. Matheny has not been charged.
The Golf Auction, a golf-oriented auction house, is registered to the same address in Tampa, Fla, as MMO Industries, according to Golf Digest.
“The Golf Auction paid Globensky just $5,000 for the Hogan jacket he wasn’t sure was genuine, and just $50,000 for the Palmer jacket whose authenticity seemed certain,” Golf Digest reported.
When reached for comment, The Golf Auction told cllct much of the story was based “solely on a convicted individual’s account.”
“Nearly all items were consigned or purchased over 10 years ago and were properly documented with a complete paper trail,” The Golf Auction said in a statement. “The Golf Auction will not profit from any stolen goods and have assisted the FBI in their investigation and securing the return of select items. There have been no charges filed against any individuals associated with The Golf Auction.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes said in the government’s sentencing memorandum, “The funds Globensky obtained enabled him and his spouse to live a lifestyle far beyond their means. The manner in which he spent the proceeds suggests greed was his primary motivation for committing the offense.”
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.
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