A former warehouse worker at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia pleaded guilty Wednesday to transporting millions of dollars worth of stolen Masters tournament memorabilia and historical artifacts, including one of Arnold Palmer’s green jackets.
Richard Globensky of Georgia entered the plea during his first appearance in federal court in Chicago.
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Federal prosecutors said the 39-year-old would take items from the warehouse and sell them and transport them to another party in Florida for online sales. The scheme lasted nearly a decade and Globensky made approximately $5 million from the sales.
He was accused of transporting goods he knew were stolen.
“I plead guilty,” Globensky, who was wearing a suit and tie, told the judge.
The items – stolen between 2009 and 2022 – include T-shirts, mugs and chairs, and historical memorabilia including green jackets and tickets to Masters tournaments in the 1930s.
Globensky declined to comment to reporters. His attorney, Thomas Church, said the case was being tried in Chicago because some of the stolen property had been recovered in the area.
The verdict will be announced at the end of October. Globensky faces up to 10 years in prison, but will likely face closer to two years under sentencing guidelines.
Augusta National hosts the annual Masters golf tournament. This year’s edition was won last month by Scottie Scheffler.