Michael Chrisman, Replica Bible Fraud, Ohio 2024

Michael Chrisman, 53, of Columbus, Ohio, has been sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison after stealing $483,403 from an Atlanta business partner in a brazen fraud scheme involving replica Gutenberg Bibles. The self-proclaimed antique bookbinder submitted false invoices for more than 70 hand-bound sets he never completed, instead funneling the money into his personal accounts to cover living expenses.

Chrisman, owner of Bookbinders Workshop, Inc. in New York, entered a binding contract in 2010 with the victim, who had acquired loose-leaf facsimiles of the famed Gutenberg Bible—the first major book printed in Europe using movable metal type. Promising to bind the pages using 15th-century techniques, including pigskin leather covers and brass clasps, Chrisman agreed to be paid per completed two-volume set, which the victim planned to sell for $12,500 each.

Between October 2010 and June 2013, Chrisman sent approximately two dozen fraudulent invoices, charging up to $5,500 per set and billing for supplies. In reality, he completed only five of the more than 70 sets he claimed to have finished. The victim, deceived by repeated lies about progress, lost over $480,000—nearly half a million dollars—before the fraud unraveled.

“Mr. Chrisman tricked the victim into paying false invoices for hand-bound Gutenberg Bible facsimiles that were never completed, and the defendant repeatedly lied to cover up his fraud,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. The scheme, built on deception and exploitation of rare book prestige, collapsed when Chrisman finally admitted he had not produced the vast majority of the billed sets.

Sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steve C. Jones, Chrisman was handed 21 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay full restitution of $483,403. The conviction stemmed from a wire fraud charge to which Chrisman pleaded guilty; he was formally convicted on September 6, 2016.

The case was investigated by the FBI Atlanta Field Office, with Special Agent in Charge David J. LeValley stating, “Fraud schemes involving such high loss amounts can do irreparable harm to many businesses, and the FBI remains committed toward assisting and protecting these businesses from those individuals, such as Mr. Chrisman.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan P. Kitchens prosecuted the case. For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.