Charlie Samuels, the former longtime clubhouse manager for the New York Mets, was sentenced today after he admitted to stealing more than $2 million worth of memorabilia from the team.
In February, Samuels confessed in Queens Criminal Court he had stolen almost $2.3 million worth of on-field and game-used Mets memorabilia and collectibles — including autographed jerseys, bats and baseballs — belonging to the Mets. He also evaded paying city and state taxes on the gear.
Today, a Queens Supreme Court judge formally sentenced Samuels to five years’ probation. As part of his guilty plea, Samuels agreed to pay $75,000 in back taxes and restitution, including $25,000 to the Mets.
In a final twist, Samuels is banned not only from Citi Field in Queens, but also from the New York Mets’ minor league park in Brooklyn, and their spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
“He had a baseball fan’s dream job, but allowed greed to get in his way,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “He’s now lost his job and his reputation.”
Samuels, who lives in Queens, began his career with the New York Mets in 1976. He was made equipment manager in 1983 and subsequently became the clubhouse manager and traveling secretary. He was fired from the team in 2010.
