The man pleads guilty to stealing Palmer’s jacket and more Masters items

CHICAGO — A former warehouse assistant for Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia pleaded guilty Wednesday to transporting millions of dollars’ worth of stolen Masters memorabilia and historical items, including one of Arnold Palmer’s green jackets.

Richard Globinski, of Georgia, made his first appearance in federal court in Chicago, where he entered his plea.

Federal prosecutors said the 39-year-old was taking items from the warehouse and transporting them to another party in Florida to sell them online. The scheme continued for nearly a decade, and Globinski generated nearly $5 million in sales.

He was charged with transporting goods knowing they were stolen.

“I plead guilty,” Globinsky, wearing a suit and tie, told the judge.

Items stolen between 2009 and 2022 included jerseys, mugs, chairs and historical memorabilia, including green jackets and Masters tournament tickets from the 1930s.

Glubinsky declined to comment to reporters. His attorney, Thomas Church, said the case is being tried in Chicago because some of the stolen goods were found in the area.

The ruling is scheduled for late October. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, but is likely closer to two years under sentencing guidelines.