That was a headline in the Los Angeles TIMES on 23 June, 1994. We ran an article about the arrest of Tom Shutt, proprietor of KING’S CROWN GALLERY in Ventura, California for selling photographs of famous WW II military men, with forged signatures on these photos. One of our Members (I don’t know if he wants his name used or not, so we won’t use it) got stung for more than $50,000 in questionable purchases from KING’S CROWN and he is the one who is keeping the ball rolling with the various police agencies. The first case has ended in Ventura, but according to our Member out there - there are another 50 or more cases pending in Tustin, California and possible Federal charges as well.

Tom Shutt pled NO CONTEST to the charge in Ventura and was found guilty by the court. He served five days in the Ventura County Jail; he is to pay court costs and other related costs as well as make restitution; he is on informal probation for three years.....and that is just for this first case in Ventura.

As noted above, it is reported that there are another 50 or more charges against Shutt in Tustin and possible Federal charges as well. After KTB #107 came out, another Member called here and his wallet is about $5,000 light after dealing with Tom Shutt.....when Shutt lived in the Kansas City area! We suggested that he telephone the Tustin Police (Detective Finney) at (714) 573-3246 and report his situation. We also suggested he call his local police in case they already had a file on Shutt when he operated KING’S CROWN GALLERY in the Kansas City area and if so, put enough cases together and charge him in that state, and possibly bring additional Federal charges. We also suggested that he call his local newspapers so they could run an article (or articles) in the Kansas City area and if any others felt they had a problem with their dealings with Shutt and KING’S CROWN GALLERY when they were in Kansas City, they too could contact the proper authorities.

The people I know who collect autographs of famous W W II military men are very dedicated to this endeavor and usually spend a great deal of money to buy the autographed items, and a great deal of time learning about the men who signed them. The military men of World War II have taken the time to sign their name to these photographs in the expectation that they are doing something positive to keep this honest history alive. In almost ALL cases, this is true - the autographed photographs, prints etc do a great part to keep the honest history of brave men and honorable deeds alive. But when someone cheats and forges a signature, it is an attack against the men who signed the photos and his reputation; it is an attack against the collector who paid good money for something he thought was genuine; and it is an attack on the very history of World War II and the veterans themselves. It is our opinion that anyone convicted of forging signatures or falsifying anything to do with the history of World War II for personal gain should go right to jail.

Anyone who has had dealings with Tom Shutt and KING’S CROWN GALLERY should contact their local police AND Detective Finney in Tustin if you have any misgivings or suspicions at all. We have the current address of Tom Shutt in California. If you need it, please request it in writing AND send a STAMPED self-addressed envelope. We will send a copy of the court transcript with his address on it.