Clients Paid Ex-NBA Participant Desmond Mason $53,000 for Artwork They By no means Obtained

4 prospects allegedly paid former NBA participant and artist Desmond Mason greater than $53,000 for work, commissioned items, and jerseys that prosecutors say had been by no means delivered.

The transactions stretched from March 2025 via April 2026 and concerned three prospects in Oklahoma County and one in Tulsa County. Investigators stated Mason continued speaking with the patrons and promising supply earlier than contact stopped throughout the opening months of 2026.

Oklahoma County prosecutors have charged the 48-year-old former Oklahoma State basketball participant with 4 felony counts of acquiring property by false pretenses and one rely alleging a sample of felony offenses.

The costs are allegations. Mason has not been convicted within the Oklahoma County case.

4 Clients Allegedly Paid a Mixed $53,362

The most important transaction concerned a Tulsa buyer who allegedly paid Mason $37,500 for work and jerseys on or round March 7, 2025, in response to the charging doc linked by FOX 25.

One other buyer allegedly paid $7,812 for commissioned paintings in October 2025. A 3rd buyer allegedly paid $6,750 for a portray in December 2025. The submitting additionally lists a $1,300 portray transaction involving a fourth buyer.

Every transaction exceeded Oklahoma’s $1,000 felony threshold. Collectively, the quantities listed by prosecutors whole $53,362. The felony submitting alleges that Mason accepted the funds however didn’t ship the bought objects after receiving the cash. 

Communication Stopped At One Level

An Oklahoma Metropolis Police Division financial-crimes detective wrote within the probable-cause affidavit that Mason remained in touch with the 4 prospects and continued making guarantees about supply.

These communications stopped at totally different factors in February, March, and April 2026. The purchasers then made quite a few unsuccessful makes an attempt to achieve him, in response to the affidavit.

The New Case Follows a Separate Texas Theft Allegation

Prosecutors stated the transactions shaped a part of the identical alleged plan regardless of occurring in two jurisdictions. Mason faces 4 counts of acquiring property by trick, deception, false illustration, or false pretense. The fifth rely alleges a sample of felony offenses based mostly on the repeated gross sales and nondelivery claims.

Mason was arrested in Oklahoma Metropolis in Might on a separate felony warrant from Texas involving sports activities memorabilia. In that case, a Texas couple alleged that they paid him $9,822.86 to border memorabilia and equipped objects and authentication paperwork valued at roughly $40,000.

They stated the completed property was by no means returned. The Oklahoma County artwork case is separate from the Texas allegation. 

Patrons Ought to Protect the Full Transaction Report

Collectors and patrons ought to use written agreements for high-value artwork, jerseys, memorabilia, framing, restoration, authentication, and show work. The settlement ought to determine the merchandise, value, deposit, fee schedule, supply deadline, refund phrases, transport technique, insurance coverage protection, and who owns any memorabilia or supplies handed to the artist or supplier.

Patrons who imagine they paid for artwork, collectibles, or commissioned work that was by no means delivered ought to protect the data earlier than deleting messages or blocking accounts. They’ll contact the fee supplier, card issuer, market, native legislation enforcement, and consumer-protection officers, specifically when the identical vendor seems to have accepted cash from a number of prospects with out delivering the promised work.