Three individuals are charged with selling merchandise with forged Jason Kelce signatures, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
51-year-old Robert Capone of Philadelphia, 43-year-old LeeAnn Branco, of Bristol, RI, and 39-year-old Joseph Parenti of Cranston, RI, are accused of selling over 1,100 items they claimed were signed by the Philadelphia Eagles legend.
However, the signatures were found 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 and 12, 2024, according to officials.
The three defendants attended the event where Branco took a snap with Kelce. The photo later led to the validation of the authenticity of the forged items, officials said.
Capone allegedly got authentically signed memorabilia and kept other items off-site to sell.
Three individuals are charged for 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 accuse.
The items were sold by Capone’s Overtime Promotions and Parenti’s Diamond Legends.
Montgomery County Detectives and Upper Merion Police were alerted by TCH Humphreys LLC about the fraudulent sales.
The company had a contract with Kelce and was behind the legitimate signing event in Valley Forge. The authentically signed memorabilia was also verified by Professional Sports Authenticator.
Selling the forged items caused financial loss to Kelce and THC Humphreys LLC, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office alleges.
Each faces 60 felony charges, including forgery, theft, and deceptive business practices.
On Wednesday, Capone was arraigned and released after his bail was set to $100,000.
Branco and Parenti are expected to turn themselves in and will be arraigned then, per officials.
