Three adults have been charged with forgery, theft and other charges related to the sale of fake Jason Kelce memorabilia.
Robert Capone, LeeAnn Branco and Joseph Parenti allegedly forged Kelce’s signature on more than 1,100 memorabilia items worth a total 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, according to documents.
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Jason Kelce (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/File)
Kelce himself appeared at a signing event June 11 at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel near Philadelphia, where Kelce played 13 seasons with the Eagles. Branco took a photo of Kelce to make the items look more legitimate.
Police were notified by a Pennsylvania-based souvenir 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 counterfeit autographed sports memorabilia and then offered them for sale as authentic signed products by Kelce,” authorities said in a press 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 a first-team All-Pro six times.
Kelce’s former Eagles are in the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years and third time since the 2017 season. The Birds won both of those contests, but split their last Super Bowl appearances.
Jason Kelce (Image/file Kevin Jairaj-Imagn)
The Eagles must face the Washington Commanders for the third time this season if they want to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl LIX. Kansas City beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl two years ago in the first half of their back-to-back reign.
