Three people are accused of selling merchandise with forged signatures of Jason Kelce, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
Robert Capone, 51, of Philadelphia, LeeAnn Branco, 43, of Bristol, RI, and Joseph Parenti, 39, of Cranston, RI, are accused of selling more than 1,100 items that they claimed, They were signed by Philadelphia. Legend of the eagles.
However, the signatures were discovered to be forged after Capone, Branco and Parenti sold 1,138 items for $200,000.
Kelce was scheduled to attend a signing event at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel on June 11-12, 2024, according to officials.
All three defendants attended the event where Branco was photographed with Kelce. The photo later made it possible to validate the authenticity of the counterfeit items, authorities said.
Capone allegedly obtained authentically signed memorabilia and kept other items off-site to sell.
Three people are accused of forging Jason Kelce's signature on 1,138 items for $200,000
Robert Capone (pictured), LeeAnn Branco and Joseph Parenti each face 60 charges
They then used Branco's credentials at Beckett Authentication Services and the photo with Kelce to falsely verify the fake signed sports merchandise, officials charge.
The items were sold by Capone's Overtime Promotions and Parenti's Diamond Legends.
TCH Humphreys LLC alerted Montgomery County detectives and Upper Merion police about the fraudulent sales.
The company had a contract with Kelce and was behind the legitimate signing event in Valley Forge. Authentically signed memorabilia was also verified by Professional Sports Authenticator.
The sale of the counterfeit items caused financial losses to Kelce and THC Humphreys LLC, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office alleges.
Each faces 60 felony charges, including forgery, theft and deceptive trade practices.
On Wednesday, Capone was arraigned and released after bail was set at $100,000.
Branco and Parenti are expected to turn themselves in and will be arraigned at that time, according to officials.