In a shocking scandal that has rocked the sports memorabilia community, three people in Pennsylvania are currently facing criminal charges for allegedly selling fake Jason Kelce memorabilia valued at an astonishing $200,000. The individuals are accused of distributing more than 1,100 counterfeit items that were purportedly signed by the former Philadelphia Eagles center. Authorities have revealed that the scheme involved the use of counterfeit authentications to trick unsuspecting collectors.
Seven-Month Investigation Unveils Elaborate Scheme
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Upper Merion Township Police Chief Blaine Leis and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced the charges.
The individuals charged in the case are Robert Capone, a 51-year-old resident of Philadelphia, LeeAnn Branco, a 43-year-old resident of Bristol, Rhode Island, and Joseph Parenti, a 39-year-old resident of Cranston, Rhode Island.
After conducting a thorough seven-month investigation, authorities have successfully dismantled a complex operation that was specifically designed to take advantage of fans and collectors.
In June 2024, authorities received a tip about counterfeit memorabilia linked to a private signing event organized by Jason Kelce at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel. Kelce had participated in official signings for THC Humphreys LLC, a sports memorabilia company, on June 11 and 12. However, it was discovered that not all the items with his signature from that event were genuine.
Over 1,100 Counterfeit Items Flood the Market
A staggering 1,138 counterfeit memorabilia items were uncovered by authorities. These fake jerseys, helmets, footballs, hats, photos, and more were being sold through two businesses: Overtime Promotions, owned by Capone, and Diamond Legends, owned by Parenti. The deceptive authentication of these forged items was carried out by Branco, an employee of Beckett Authentication Services.
During the investigation, it was uncovered that Branco and Parenti participated in a genuine signing event. To add credibility to their fraudulent authentications, Branco even took a photo with Kelce. Utilizing Branco’s credentials, they proceeded to certify forged memorabilia as genuine, effectively creating a deceptive façade of legitimacy for their illegal operation.
How the Fraud Was Exposed
The scheme fell apart when THC Humphreys LLC, the entity that had hired Kelce for the official signing, detected inconsistencies. The company promptly notified law enforcement, who swiftly discovered that the genuine items from the event had been authenticated by Professional Sports Authenticator. On the other hand, the counterfeit memorabilia had no connection to the official signings.
Multiple Felony Charges Filed
Capone, Branco, and Parenti are now facing a total of 60 felony charges, which include forgery, theft by deception, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, and deceptive business practices. Capone has already been arraigned and subsequently released on $100,000 unsecured bail. Branco and Parenti, on the other hand, are expected to surrender to the authorities soon in order to proceed with their own arraignments.
The case’s impact will undoubtedly resonate across the industry as the legal process unfolds.
