Masters Memorabilia Heist lands Ex-Worker Behind Bars
Convicted Georgia resident receives prison sentence for stealing Arnold Palmer's green jacket and other Masters artifacts.
Former Augusta National Golf Club employee Richard Globensky, 40, was handed a one-year prison sentence on Wednesday for transporting millions of dollars' worth of pilfered Masters tournament memorabilia. This included one of Arnold Palmer's iconic green jackets.
Globensky, appearing in Chicago's federal court in a suit and red tie, admitted to one count of transporting stolen goods across state lines last year. His parents and wife sat quietly in the courtroom behind him as he apologized for his actions, stating, "I deeply regret the decision that led me to this moment. I have taken full responsibility for my actions and remain committed to doing everything in my power to make amends."
As Globensky and his attorney declined to comment to reporters following the hearing, the ex-employee will also be obligated to pay more than $3 million in restitution and face a year of supervised release.
The prosecution sought a 16-month sentence, while defense attorneys preferred probation.
Globensky orchestrated the pilferage to sell items to Florida retailers, who then marketed them online at a markup. Globensky's pay was routed through a limited liability company established in his wife's name, among other methods, for over a decade, earning him over $5 million.
Assistant US Attorney Brian Hayes argued, "The violation of trust was very serious and ongoing." Still, Hayes acknowledge Globensky's collaboration in the investigation, providing text communication with a third-party, referred to court documents as "Individual A," as well as an associate, "Individual B." Globensky even proactively sold his house and handed the proceeds to the government.
Stolen goods, primarily recorded between 2009 and 2022, comprised significant tournament memorabilia like tickets dating back to the 1930s, T-shirts, mugs, and chairs. The legendary green jackets included those won by Palmer, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen.
Some of the stolen property was recovered in the Chicago area, explaining the court proceedings at the downtown courthouse.
Globensky, who started working at the warehouse in 2007, stealthily took photographs of items and forwarded them to a Florida seller. Globensky stole the pieces that potential buyers were interested in, using small quantities to evade Augusta National's auditing procedures, hiding the items in an offsite storage facility, and then shipping them [1].
The proceeds from the stolen merchandise were used to fund an opulent lifestyle, including $370,000 on vehicles and a boat, $160,000 for Disney-themed vacations, and $32,000 for items at Louis Vuitton, according to court documents made public earlier this month [1].
Although Globensky's attorney argued it wasn't uncommon for employees to occasionally take items, he emphasized his client's remorse and acknowledged that he was not a danger to the public [2].
The total financial loss to Augusta National was more than $3 million, as stated by prosecutors. An Augusta National spokesperson, in response to a request for comment, referred to a victim impact statement submitted to the court during the hearing [2].
In the submitted letter, Augusta National stated, "We were severely disappointed to learn several years ago that a former Augusta National employee betrayed that principle, and our trust, by stealing from the Club, Tournament, and even a number of legends whose accomplishments at the Masters and in the game of golf are revered by all" [2].
Augusta National hosts the annual Masters golf tournament annually in April, with Scottie Scheffler triumphing last year.
Palmer, who passed away in 2016 at age 87, won four green jackets, being credited for introducing golf to the masses and launching the tradition of hitting the ceremonial tee shot every year at the Masters for years after stopping playing in the tournament in 2004 [3].
Getting a ticket to the Masters also grants fans the chance to purchase exclusive merchandise unavailable online. However, the green jackets are exceptionally guarded by Augusta National Inc., the Georgia company that owns the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters golf tournament.
In 2017, Augusta National Inc. sued a golf memorabilia company to halt the auction of items, including a champion's green jacket and two member green jackets, as well as other items [3].
Reference(s):
- CNN | One-time Georgia warehouse worker sentenced for stealing Masters memorabilia
- Golfweek | Former Augusta National Club employee Richard Globensky gets 1-year prison sentence for theft
- USA Today | Masters' green jackets a coveted item for thieves
- Assistant US Attorney Brian Hayes explained that Globensky orchestrated the pilferage of Masters tournament memorabilia, including iconic green jackets, for over a decade, to be transported and sold at a markup through Florida retailers.
- The prosecution asserted that Globensky's limited liability company was used to route his pay, totaling over $5 million, as part of his schemes during the auditing process at the Augusta National Golf Club.
- Globensky pleaded guilty to transporting stolen goods across state lines last year, and in addition to his prison sentence, was obligated to pay more than $3 million in restitution and face a year of supervised release.
