Three adults have been charged with forgery, theft and other charges in connection with the sale of fake Jason Kelce autographed memorabilia.
Robert Capone, LeeAnn Branco and Joseph Parenti allegedly forged Kelce’s signature on more than 1,100 items of memorabilia that had a total value of at least $200,000.
Jerseys, mini helmets, hats, photos, footballs and other items were sold by Capone’s Overtime Promotions and Parent’s Diamond Legends after being verified by Branco, an employee of Beckett Authentication Services, documents say.
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Jason Kelce (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/File)
Kelce himself appeared at a signing event on June 11 at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel near Philadelphia, where Kelce played 13 seasons with the Eagles. Branco took a picture of Kelce to make things seem more legitimate.
Police were notified by a Pennsylvania-based memorabilia company that had been in contact with Kelce to sign the items.
“The investigation revealed that Capone, Parenti and Branco conspired to use Branco’s Beckett Authentication Services credentials to create fake autographed sports memorabilia and then offered it for sale as an authentic contract for products signed by Kelce,” authorities said in a news release.
Jason Kelce (Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images/File)
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Capone, Branco and Parenti are charged with 60 counts. Capone was released from jail after posting $100,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 5.
Kelce is in his first season as a former player after winning a Super Bowl, making the Pro Bowl seven times and being named First-Team All-Pro six times.
Kelce’s former Eagles are in the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years and the third time since the 2017 season. The Birds won both of those contests, but have split their most recent Super Bowl appearances.
Jason Kelce (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn image/file)
The Eagles need to get past the Washington Commanders for the third time this season if they want to compete with either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl LIX. Kansas City defeated the Eagles in the Super Bowl two years ago as the first half of their back-to-back reign.
