Bristol, RI, Cranston, RI, and Philadelphia, PA residents accused of forging, selling $200,000 worth of fake sports memorabilia
January 22, 2025, NORRISTOWN, PA In connection with the sale of counterfeit Jason Kelce-signed memorabilia worth about $200,000, Robert Capone, 51, of Philadelphia; LeeAnn Branco, 43, of Bristol, Rhode Island; and Joseph Parenti, 39, of Cranston, Rhode Island, have been charged with forgery, theft, and deceptive business practices, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Merion Township Chief Blaine Leis.
More than 1,100 memorabilia items that were allegedly autographed by former Eagle Jason Kelce but were actually fake were discovered by Montgomery County Detectives and Upper Merion Township Police in June 2024. Kelce is said to have signed the goods at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel on June 11–12, 2024. Capone’s company Overtime Promotions and Parenti’s company Diamond Legends sold the forged goods. Branco, a Beckett Authentication Services employee, confirmed the items. These 1,138 memorabilia items, which included footballs, helmets, mini-helmets, hats, signed jerseys, and other items, were valued at over $200,000.
TCH Humphreys LLC, a Royersford-based sports memorabilia company that had a contract with Kelce to perform official memorabilia signings at a private event on June 11–12, 2024, at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel, notified Montgomery County Detectives and Upper Merion Police of the fraud and theft. Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) confirmed that these authentic Jason Kelce-signed memorabilia items were authentic.
According to the inquiry, Capone, Parenti, and Branco colluded to produce fake autographed sports memorabilia using Branco’s credentials from Beckett Authentication Services. They then sold the fake items as legitimately contracted-for items signed by Kelce. On June 11, 2024, Branco and Parenti went to the official signing ceremony at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel. Branco took a picture with Kelce to confirm her in-person authenticity of the fake memorabilia, which was never signed by Kelce. While storing other artifacts off-site for future forgeries and sales, Capone also went to the event to obtain some genuine memorabilia. The sale of illegal, fake Kelce-autographed memorabilia without his permission was facilitated by Branco’s certificate of authenticity, costing Kelce, THC Humphreys LLC, and others over $200,000.
60 criminal counts, including forgery, theft by deception, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, deceptive business practices, and other offenses, are brought against Capone, Branco, and Parenti.
Magisterial District Judge Patrick Krouse arraigned Capone on Wednesday, set $100,000 unsecured bail, and then freed Capone. On February 5, 2025, at 1 p.m., Magisterial District Judge James P. Gallagher will hold a preliminary hearing.
At that time, Branco and Parenti will be arraigned on the allegations and are anticipated to turn themselves in to Montgomery County Detectives.
