Manuel,

First off, I do not know Mel Jung very well.
I do know of him.
I had only deal with Mel.
At my first CC>CC convention in 1996, I bought several $1 chips from him for a total of $20.
I do not own a significant brass core collection and I was not harmed by his "mistakes".
But many others have been badly hurt.
I agree with you that Mel has done a lot for this hobby, more good than bad.
I agree with you that everyone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance, especially someone who made outstanding contributions to this hobby.
At the time of his expulsion, Mel was even being considered for the CC>CC Hall of Fame.
That says a lot.
However, everyone seems to forget that Mel was not expelled from the Club because of the sale of the fake brass cores.
That could not be proven ... beyond a reasonable doubt, there were no receipts or independent 3rd party observations.
The board was not even sure that what Mel did with the Brass Cores was in violation of the Code of Ethics.
Mel was expelled because he refused to cooperate with the Board's investigation of the Brass Core issue.
That is clearly in violation of the CC>CC Code of Ethics.
He was given a second chance, but he refused to cooperate.
When Mel admits what he did and makes his amends to those he wronged, I hope the board would welcome him back into the Club.
I miss reading his great articles in CC&TN about his early chippin' experiences.
Until then, Mel is expelled from the Club and should be treated as such.