Bristol, RI, Cranston, RI, and Philadelphia, PA residents accused of forging, selling $200,000 worth of fake sports memorabilia

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (Jan. 22, 2025) — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Merion Township Chief Blaine Leis announce the charging of Robert Capone, 51, of Philadelphia; LeeAnn Branco, 43, of Bristol, R.I.; and Joseph Parenti, 39, Cranston, R.I., on charges of Forgery, Theft, Deceptive Business Practices and other charges related to selling forged Jason Kelce-signed memorabilia valued at approximately $200,000.

In June 2024, Montgomery County Detectives and Upper Merion Township Police were alerted to the presence of more than 1,100 memorabilia items that were purportedly signed by former Eagle Jason Kelce but were in fact forged. The items were supposedly signed by Kelce on June 11-12, 2024, at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel. The forged items were offered for sale by Overtime Promotions, owned by Capone, and Diamond Legends, owned by Parenti. The items were “verified” by Branco, an employee of Beckett Authentication Services. The value of these 1,138 memorabilia items—including signed jerseys, helmets, mini-helmets, hats, photos, footballs and other items—was approximately $200,000.

Montgomery County Detectives and Upper Merion Police were alerted to the fraud and theft, by TCH Humphreys LLC, a sports memorabilia company located in Royersford, that had contracted with Kelce to conduct official signings of memorabilia at a private event on June 11-12, 2024, at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel. These legitimate memorabilia items signed by Jason Kelce were verified by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

The investigation found that Capone, Parenti and Branco conspired to use Branco’s Beckett Authentication Services credentials to create counterfeit autographed sport memorabilia and then offered it for sale as authentically contracted-for products signed by Kelce. Branco and Parenti attended the legitimate signing event on June 11, 2024, at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel, and Branco secured a photo with Kelce in order to validate her in-the-presence authentication of the forged memorabilia that was never actually signed by Kelce. Capone further attended the event to receive some authentic memorabilia while keeping other memorabilia off-site for later forgeries and sale. The certificate of authenticity issued by Branco induced the sale of unauthorized, inauthentic Kelce-autographed memorabilia without his consent, causing financial loss for Kelce, THC Humphreys LLC and others at approximately $200,000.

Capone, Branco and Parenti are charged with 60 felony counts including Forgery, Theft by Deception, Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Practices, Deceptive Business Practices and other charges.

Capone was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Patrick Krouse, who set bail at $100,000 unsecured, and Capone was released. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m., Feb. 5, 2025, before Magisterial District Judge James P. Gallagher.

Branco and Parenti are expected to turn themselves in to Montgomery County Detectives and will be arraigned on the charges at that time.