John Rogers holds a valuable 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card after its 2008 purchase. |
A $3.5 million claim by another creditor of John Rogers was filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
George and Steve Demos of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and their Demos Enterprises LLC allege the embattled newspaper and sports memorabilia dealer committed fraud along the way.
The debt claim, filed Jan. 30, stems from two 2013 transactions:
• The sale of a 1924 Babe Ruth home run game-used bat and supporting material to Rogers for $250,000 plus at least $2.75 million in revenue secured by a 50 percent stake in the Minnesota Star Tribune archive. The photo archive was appraised at $16 million, according to a transaction agreement signed by Rogers.
As additional security, Rogers allegedly pledged a 25 percent stake in the Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Archive. This photo archive was appraised at $65 million, according to a Nov. 1, 2013, transaction agreement.
Rogers is accused of creating fictitious emails that indicated George Demos authorized the sale of the Babe Ruth bat, selling the bat for far less than its value, keeping the proceeds and withholding payment to Demos.
• Loans totaling $375,000 with a $510,000 payout. The Jan. 23, 2013 agreement allegedly was secured by Honus Wagner, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle baseball cards and a 50 percent stake in the Charles Conlon Collection of historic sports images. Rogers said the appraised value of the Conlon glass plate negative collection was $17 million.
Also named as defendants are Sports Cards Plus Inc.; Angelica Rogers, Rogers’ ex-wife, individually and as owner of Sports Cards Plus.
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