A former Mets clubhouse manager was arrested today for stealing sports memorabilia from the team — including a set of autographed 1986 World Series warm-up uniforms — that totaled a staggering $2.3 million, authorities said.
Charlie Samuels, 53, who was fired from the team last November, was arraigned on a 21-count indictment in Queens Supreme Court, including falsifying business documents, grand larceny and tax fraud.
Queens DA Richard Brown said Samuels allegedly stole 1,673 items that were stored in a friend’s basement in Madison, Conn.
The items, which have been valued at $2.3 million, included 507 jerseys, 828 bats and 304 hats.
Samuels also allegedly stole baseballs, batting helmets and workout bags, Brown said.
“In this instance, the defendant was a trusted employee of the New York Mets who is alleged to have taken advantage of his position to amass a sports memorabilia collection worth almost $2.3 million at the expense of his employer,” Brown said.
Brown said Samuels was not intent on selling the items, but rather to keep them as part of his personal collection.
“His greed is alleged to have gotten the better of him,” Brown said.
Prosecutors also said Samuels embezzled $25,000 as part of inflated expense claims related to meals provided to umpires, and on top of that failed to pay taxes, owing the government $204,000.
“The indictment barely made it to the first base,” Samuels’ defense attorney Michael Bachner said. “We are shocked at the nature of these accusations.”
Samuels, who served as clubhouse manager for 27 years, had also served as equipment manager and travelling secretary.