Norristown, Pa. (January 22, 2025) — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Marion Township Chief Blaine Lees announced the charging of Robert Capone, 51, of Philadelphia. Lee Ann Branko, 43, of Bristol, RI; and Joseph Parenti, 39, of Cranston, RI, on forgery, theft, fraudulent business practices and other charges related to the sale of nearly $200,000 worth of fake Jason Kelce autographed memorabilia.
In June 2024, Montgomery County detectives and Upper Marion Township police were alerted to the presence of more than 1,100 items of memorabilia that purported to be signed by former Eagle Jason Kelce but were in fact fake. The items were signed by Kelce on June 11-12, 2024 at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel. The counterfeit items were offered for sale by Overtime Promotions, owned by Capone, and Diamond Legends, owned by Parenti. The items were “authenticated” by Branko, an employee of Beckett Authentication Services. The value of those 1,138 memorabilia—including signed jerseys, helmets, mini-helmets, caps, photos, footballs and other items—was approximately $200,000.
Montgomery County detectives and Upper Marion police were alerted to the fraud and theft by TCH Humphreys LLC, a sports memorabilia company based in Royersford, who purchased the memorabilia with Kelce at a private event on June 11-12, 2024. What was the official signing agreement? at Valley Forge Casino Hotel. These authentic Jason Kelce autographed memorabilia are certified by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).
The investigation revealed that Capone, Parenti and Bronco conspired to use Bronco’s Beckett Authentication Services credentials to create fake autographed sports memorabilia and then pass it off as authentic contracts for Calce’s autographed products. Offered for sale. Branco and Parenti attended a legal signing ceremony at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel on June 11, 2024, and Branco obtained a photo with Kelce to confirm the presence of the fake memo that Kelce had never signed. Didn’t do it. . Capone further attended the event to obtain some authentic memorabilia while keeping other memorabilia off-site for later counterfeiting and sale. The certificate of authenticity issued by Branco encouraged the sale of unauthorized, unauthenticated Kelce autographed memorabilia without his consent, causing financial losses to Kelce, THC Humphreys LLC and others of approximately $200,000.
Capone, Branco and Parenti have been indicted on 60 felony charges including forgery, theft by deception, dealing in illegal proceeds, fraudulent business practices and other charges.
Capone was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Patrick Krause, who set bail at $100,000 unsecured, and Capone was released. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 5, 2025 at 1 p.m., before Magisterial District Judge James P. Set in front of Gallagher.
Branco and Parenti are expected to turn themselves in to Montgomery County detectives and face charges at that time.
