affect the value of the item, I think it may be a different story. Especially if the repair is not disclosed. I am not talking about Mr. Whalen or the suit against him. I am ignorant of the facts involving either. But, I can see how repairs in the chip collecting area can give rise to fraud and therefore a lawsuit. I don't even think that's debatable. As far as the repairer goes, I think the situation would have to be just right to include them as a defendant. It's possible that knowledge that certain clients sell the repaired chips without disclosing the repairs, but continuing to repair chips for them may involve them in a conspiracy to defraud in some states. I have not researched it in New York, but it is possible. On that basis, I would suspect that the club had enough to at least avoid being hit with a frivolous lawsuit claim. I sure hope so.

Filing a lawsuit against the club with no basis, on the other hand, can give rise to serious penalties. A lawyer who file such a suit can be subject to serious consequences. I wouldn't touch a case like that personally. Public perception of what people can do in the Courts does not match reality. That I can tell you.

Michael Siskin