Latest news with #PawnStars
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
Autographed Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady jerseys faked in Westfield sports memorabilia scam
A woman in North Carolina tipped off Westfield police in February to a possible sports memorabilia scam being run in the town. That woman, who police didn't name, reported she had received fraudulent merchandise from Mister Mancave, LLC, a company run by a 45-year-old Westfield man named Brett Lemieux. What no one could have known at the time was just how massive the counterfeit ring Lemieux was running would allegedly be. Among the big names Lemieux allegedly made his fortune on — which Lemieux claimed in a Facebook confession was $350 million – were Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge. After the woman's tip, Westfield police began a 5-month investigation into Mister Mancave, a business allegedly selling counterfeit autographed sports memorabilia through its online store and other platforms. As the case progressed, additional victims of Lemieux were found, each claiming to have purchased autographed memorabilia from Mister Mancave that was later determined to be counterfeit, Westfield police said in its latest public statement on the case. On July 15, police executed a search warrant at the Mister Mancave business location in connection with the suspected fraudulent scheme. The following day, the investigation extended to a residence in the 300 block of Hoover Street. "Upon arrival at the residence, officers discovered an individual deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," the statement says. "That individual has been identified as Brett Lemieux, 45, of Westfield, the founder of Mister Mancave LLC and the primary suspect in this case." Police say they collected "a significant quantity of evidence during the searches, including documentation and items related to the alleged counterfeit operation. Investigators say they are aware of a social media post made by Lemieux shortly before his death in which he gave specific details about how he pulled off what he said was a crime that kept him awake at night. "I always took it as a challenge. I spent sleepless nights planning what items to counterfeit next," he wrote. Lemieux said he would illegally gain access to reputable sports memorabilia company's holograms, a security feature used to authenticate autographs and other collectible items with a serial number. Among the companies he replicated were TriStar Sports, Mounted Memories, Steiner Sports, Fanatics and Mill Creek Sports, Lemieux said in his post. He would then replicate items, using an autopen, which copies signatures, to forge autographs and then sell signed items – jerseys, footballs, baseball bats, photographs – by the thousands, Lemieux wrote. One of the biggest items Lemieux replicated were Brady jerseys, said those in the sports memorabilia industry. "We had started seeing these really weird looking Tom Brady (jerseys) and we kept saying, 'These don't look right. There's something really off here,'" Steve Grad told IndyStar. Grad appears as an expert on the television show "Pawn Stars" and is with Beckett Authentication Services, a third-party company in Plano, Texas, that authenticates autographs. "Well, it turns out, we were right," Grad said. "He did this with Aaron Judge. He did this with anybody you could really think of, Derek Jeter. These are all really big names." In his Facebook post, Lemieux named other individuals who may have been involved in the counterfeit scheme, which police said they are aware of. "This will require additional time to carefully review and investigate all evidence and leads," police said. "We are working with various authenticators for technical assistance and the authentication of all seized items." In its statement, Westfield police said the department "acknowledges that any loss of life is a tragedy, and we extend our condolences to Mr. Lemieux's family and friends during this difficult time." Anyone with information related to the case should contact Detective Don Bennett of the Westfield Police Department at dbennett@
Time Business News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Who Is Korina Harrison? A Complete Biography and Life Story
Korina Harrison, who is frequently known in the media because she is related to a well-known reality TV celebrity, has led a life that combines her need for seclusion with her desire for public attention. Although specifics of her origin, date of birth, and early upbringing have mostly stayed hidden from the public, she was born and reared in the United States. Korina did not aggressively pursue the spotlight, in contrast to many people associated with television celebrity. Rather, despite the spike in interest in her personal life, she has kept a very modest profile. It seems that Korina's early years were based on a standard American upbringing. Her early years are thought to have been spent in a modest and kind setting. Korina has made a concerted effort to preserve the anonymity of her family members and early influences, despite her later prominent associations. This is consistent with her general personality and way of life. After marrying Corey Harrison, a star of the History Channel's popular reality show Pawn Stars, Korina Harrison gained a lot of notoriety. Corey, who is frequently referred to as 'Big Hoss,' is the grandson of Richard Harrison and the son of Rick Harrison, who both assisted in founding the well-known Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. In 2017, the pair exchanged vows in a private ceremony. Many viewers of the show were curious about their marriage, particularly since Corey was one of the main characters in Pawn Stars. But in spite of the public's interest, Korina and Corey mainly kept their relationship's specifics confidential. Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long. Corey filed for divorce, claiming irreconcilable differences, just a year after they were married. September 2018 saw the finalization of the divorce. Corey made it known that even after their brief marriage ended, the couple remained friends and respected one another. Korina's grounded demeanor and her ability to handle fame without scandal or media turmoil were further demonstrated by this kind tone. The mystery surrounding Korina Harrison's personal life is one of the factors that have drawn attention to her. She moved even farther away from the spotlight after splitting with Corey Harrison. In contrast to many others connected to famous husbands, Korina did not use her increased prominence for financial gain or recognition. Rather, she has continued to lead a life that seems to indicate a desire for seclusion and self-actualization. Sources close to the family have reported that Korina is recognized for her brilliance and compassion and has a calm manner, despite the lack of specific details. She does not appear to have any official social media accounts, and any online persona she may have is either private or anonymous. Perhaps the thing that most distinguishes her from her ex-husband's public presence is her deliberate decision to stay out of the spotlight. It was inevitable that Korina Harrison would receive some media attention due to her affiliation with Pawn Stars through her marriage to Corey. However, Korina has received relatively little and mostly polite attention in contrast to other people who come into the public eye through celebrity relationships. Few media sources attempted to sensationalize the story or go deeper into her personal life, but the majority covered her marriage and subsequent divorce. This demonstrates Korina's tactful management of her public persona as well as her uncontroversial public persona. It is clear that Korina Harrison did not pursue a career in media or entertainment following her divorce, despite the fact that Pawn Stars viewers are still interested in her. Her decision to withdraw from the public eye has strengthened her reputation as someone who prioritizes prudence and personal integrity over notoriety and attention. It can be difficult to adjust to life after divorce, particularly if you were in a well-known relationship. It seems that Korina Harrison's move went smoothly and without incident. She has not been involved in any public scandals or conflicts, yet specifics regarding her personal or professional pursuits after the divorce are still unclear. Some unofficial rumors claim that Korina may have returned to a private career, most likely in customer service or company administration. However, because there is no confirmed information available, these details are still purely conjectural. What is evident is that following the period of her life when she was highly visible, Korina made the decision to put stability, tranquility, and privacy first. This decision shows a level of maturity and character depth that is uncommon in those who have had a brief run with the spotlight. Instead of making the most of the brief publicity, Korina returned to a more normal and grounded existence, which many people find admirable in today's media-driven environment. There is some public interest in being connected to the Harrison family, particularly Rick and Corey Harrison. Because to Pawn Stars' enormous success and its depiction of the pawn shop culture in Las Vegas, the Harrisons are one of the most well-known figures in reality television. Although Korina was next to this famous family during her time as Corey's wife, she never made an appearance on the show or took part in the industry. This sets her apart from the typical reality TV spouse stereotype, which frequently becomes a part of the on-screen story. Her decision to stay out of the show and avoid media appearances says a lot about who she is. She was once a part of one of the most well-known families on television, but she had no intention of using that affiliation for her own benefit. This contrasts with a lot of other people who are associated with celebrity and choose to remain in the spotlight. The often-overlooked phenomenon of preserving a private identity despite a public relationship is best shown by Korina Harrison. Her situation serves as an example of how not everyone associated with a public figure want to be famous or wants to share their perspective through appearances or interviews. She exhibits a great propensity for subtlety in her behavior prior to, during, and following her marriage to Corey Harrison. She didn't make any public remarks, do any interviews, or try to change public perceptions even when the divorce made news. Korina's dignity has been preserved and needless controversies have been avoided thanks to her calm and collected demeanor. One of the things that makes her story so interesting is her ability to maintain her composure during a well-publicized life event. In a time where over sharing is frequently the standard, Korina is unique in that she respects personal space and limits. Korina Harrison is still living a private life as of right now. Her legacy is marked by self-awareness and genuineness rather than by noteworthy accomplishments or public endeavors. In contrast to many people who get notoriety by association, Korina has consistently shown that she values her privacy and well-being. She hasn't taken any actions that would make her a prominent personality in her own right, but her previous relationship is the major reason she is still interesting. Her lack of media aspirations does not diminish her significance; rather, it enhances the aura of mystery and admiration surrounding her persona. It is thought that she is currently in a state of peaceful stability, albeit one that is largely secret. Even though the media may not cover her daily activities, Pawn Stars fans and onlookers frequently show her respect and interest. The biography of Korina Harrison demonstrates how someone can choose to gracefully leave public life after temporarily entering it. Her narrative serves as a reminder that one's character is frequently best demonstrated by the things they choose not to do, and that celebrity need not define a person. Korina showed a unique kind of humility and self-respect by refusing to take advantage of her brief stint in the spotlight. Regardless matter whether Korina Harrison makes a comeback to the spotlight or keeps a low profile, she is still a remarkable example of self-respect, maturity, and discretion. Korina is a symbol of the idea that you can be a part of a well-known narrative without becoming the story yourself, for those who want to know more about her than just the headlines. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Mystery of 1,000-year-old ‘mummified dragon' that was discovered by samurai warrior is finally solved
Scroll down to find out more about the mystical beast HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Mystery of 1,000-year-old 'mummified dragon' that was discovered by samurai warrior is finally solved THE mystery of a 1,000-year-old mummified "dragon" stashed among the treasures of the Japanese royal family has finally been solved. The remains of the 'rainbow dragon' are said to have been discovered by a legendary samurai warrior in 1429. Advertisement 7 The remains of the "rainbow dragon" were discovered in 1429 Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 An X-ray of the ancient remains has uncovered the mystery of the beast Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 The legendary samurai Yoshinori Ashikaga Credit: Credit: Pen News Yoshinori Ashikaga uncovered the mystical beast during a visit to Nara's Todaiji temple. The samurai is said to have cut a piece from the Ranjatai – a rare and treasured piece of agarwood. Then he 'saw something in the shape of a small dragon' dried by the sun, a monk recalled. The dragon's remains have been stashed among the Japanese Royal family's treasures at the Shosoin Treasure House in Nara, Japan ever since. Advertisement Now, a new study has solved the mystery of the creature's true nature - using X-ray technology and radiocarbon dating. Close comparison with known species found that the 'dragon' was in fact a Japanese marten - a weasel-like mammal. The authors wrote: 'The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus.' The creature was likely a full-grown female marten, measuring 40cm in length. Advertisement Radiocarbon testing suggests that the remains date back to the mid-11th to the mid-12th century – a time when the treasure house faced multiple repairs. It is thought that the animal may have entered the building during repairs, got trapped, and died - becoming mummified. I own an antique weapon that's been in my family for years - Pawn Stars said a secret pocket makes it worth $8k Or it may have been brought in deliberately – since the specimen is missing its forelegs and they have never been located. The "dragon" remains have been shrouded in mystery for almost 600 years. Advertisement Legend has it that after the mystical creature was added to the treasure house it would rain every time it was opened. And it seems this is still the case with researchers from Tokyo having to reschedule one of their visits due to heavy rains. 7 Another 'dragon' in the collection now identified as a type of crow Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 Another 'dragon' now thought to be a pigeon Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News Advertisement Conservationist Mami Tsuru of the Shosoin Treasure House confirmed she believed the 'dragon' to be the same one found by Yoshinori Ashikaga. She said: 'The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period'. She added: 'We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository.' Other 'dragons' in the collection were also analysed and were found to be parts of a Kobe mole, crow, and pigeon. Advertisement 7 The Shosoin Treasure House in Japan Credit: Credit: Pen News
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Mystery of 1,000-year-old ‘mummified dragon' that was discovered by samurai warrior is finally solved
THE mystery of a 1,000-year-old mummified "dragon" stashed among the treasures of the Japanese royal family has finally been solved. The remains of the 'rainbow dragon' are said to have been discovered by a legendary samurai warrior in 1429. 7 The remains of the "rainbow dragon" were discovered in 1429 Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 An X-ray of the ancient remains has uncovered the mystery of the beast Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 The legendary samurai Yoshinori Ashikaga Credit: Credit: Pen News Yoshinori Ashikaga uncovered the mystical beast during a visit to Nara's Todaiji temple. The samurai is said to have cut a piece from the Ranjatai – a rare and treasured piece of agarwood. Then he 'saw something in the shape of a small dragon' dried by the sun, a monk recalled. The dragon's remains have been stashed among the Japanese Royal family's treasures at the Shosoin Treasure House in Nara, Japan ever since. read more on japan Now, a new study has solved the mystery of the creature's true nature - using X-ray technology and radiocarbon dating . Close comparison with known species found that the 'dragon' was in fact a Japanese marten - a weasel-like mammal. The authors wrote: 'The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus.' The creature was likely a full-grown female marten, measuring 40cm in length. Most read in Tech Radiocarbon testing suggests that the remains date back to the mid-11th to the mid-12th century – a time when the treasure house faced multiple repairs. It is thought that the animal may have entered the building during repairs, got trapped, and died - becoming mummified. I own an antique weapon that's been in my family for years - Pawn Stars said a secret pocket makes it worth $8k Or it may have been brought in deliberately – since the specimen is missing its forelegs and they have never been located. The "dragon" remains have been shrouded in mystery for almost 600 years. Legend has it that after the mystical creature was added to the treasure house it would rain every time it was opened. And it seems this is still the case with researchers from Tokyo having to reschedule one of their visits due to heavy rains. 7 Another 'dragon' in the collection now identified as a type of crow Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 Another 'dragon' now thought to be a pigeon Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News Conservationist Mami Tsuru of the Shosoin Treasure House confirmed she believed the 'dragon' to be the same one found by Yoshinori Ashikaga. She said: 'The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period'. She added: 'We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository.' Other 'dragons' in the collection were also analysed and were found to be parts of a Kobe mole, crow, and pigeon. 7 The Shosoin Treasure House in Japan Credit: Credit: Pen News 7 The findings of the X-ray investigation being presented at a conference Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: No, 'Pawn Stars' personality Rick Harrison wasn't sentenced to life in prison
Claim: A judge sentenced "Pawn Stars" television personality Rick Harrison to life in prison. Rating: According to a rumor that internet users shared in early 2025, reality television star Rick Harrison — best known for starring in the History series "Pawn Stars" — received a sentence of life imprisonment. Snopes readers wrote in and searched our site for information about the claim, examples of which appeared in multiple YouTube videos. One such clip, uploaded on March 26 and embedded below, amassed more than 2.5 million views as of this writing. It was titled: "Rick Harrison From Pawn Stars Sentenced To Life Imprisonment." The claim also spread to social media platforms including TikTok and Facebook. In short, the rumor about Harrison receiving a life sentence was untrue and as a result we have rated the claim as false. As the website US Prison Guide noted on April 6, there was no credible evidence that Harrison had been incarcerated. A Google search for the terms "Rick Harrison" and "life sentence" also found no coverage of such a sentence from any reputable news outlets. Some of the YouTube videos sharing the story had disclaimers acknowledging that they did not reflect reality. For example, the description of an April 2 video about the story included a section reading: ➤Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes, our videos blend factual, rumored, and fictional content. Viewers should not consider any of this information as definitive or accurate. We advise responsible viewing. Other examples, such as the March 26 video embedded above, did not include an explicit disclaimer that the story was fiction. However, that video's description noted that the page's stories "may not always reflect the latest developments or offer a full perspective on the topics discussed" and included a statement reading: "We invite viewers to think critically and seek further credible sources to expand their understanding." The videos also contained multiple demonstrably false details. For example, starting at the 8:57 mark in the March 26 video, the narrator claims that in 2023, "FBI agents, accompanied by IRS investigators and representatives from the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection," raided Harrison's home, leading to his arrest and "multiple felony charges including tax evasion, money laundering, dealing in stolen property and conspiring to traffic illegally obtained cultural artifacts." However, it was not possible to find any record of these charges against Harrison nor of any U.S. government entity named the "Department of Cultural Heritage Protection" — although similarly named departments exist in other countries such as China and Poland. A Google search also produced no demonstrable evidence of any 2023 raid on Harrison's home. The same video claimed at the 16:28 mark that, following Harrison's alleged sentencing, "images of Rick being led away in handcuffs" dominated "news coverage and social media." However, there were no such images of Harrison in handcuffs on Getty Images or The Associated Press' AP Newsroom, two major sources of images for legitimate news outlets. Images from the videos that purportedly showed Harrison in an orange prison jumpsuit appeared to be the products of artificial intelligence software, according to the AI image detectors WasItAI and Decopy AI. In February 2025, Harrison and his "Pawn Stars" costar Austin "Chumlee" Russell launched a podcast, "Pawn After Dark," which is not formally affiliated with History. The same month, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that "Pawn Stars" was no longer under contract with History and was on "indefinite pause" after more than 20 seasons. There was no indication that the pause had anything to do with a prison sentence for Harrison. Ultimately, the videos sharing the story about Harrison receiving a life sentence did not recount true events. Instead, they told a fictional story designed to garner shares and likes. The claim that Harrison was sentenced to life in prison is not the first example we have investigated of a fictional story about a real public figure receiving a life sentence. For example, we looked into the equally false claim that televangelist Kenneth Copeland collapsed in a courtroom after receiving such a sentence. "A Different Side of 'Pawn Stars,' 'Pawn After Dark' Kicks Off." Las Vegas Review-Journal, 17 Feb. 2025, Affiliation Profile – Department of Cultural Heritage Protection and International Communication – Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. "Corey Harrison: 'I Can't Play Another Season' as 'Pawn Stars' on Hiatus." Las Vegas Review-Journal, 28 Feb. 2025, "HERITAGE CATEGORIES AND A CROSSCUTTING APPROACH AMONG CONVENTIONS." OurWorldHeritage Foundation for Civil Society Heritage Partners, Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Liles, Jordan. "Televangelist Kenneth Copeland Is the Target of False AI-Generated Videos." Snopes, 27 Mar. 2025, Rick Harrison From Pawn Stars Sentenced To Life Imprisonment? Shocking Lie. 6 Apr. 2025, "Stream Pawn Stars & Watch All Episodes." The HISTORY Channel, Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
