January 31, 2019
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports Images
The scene at Super Bowl LIII Media Day in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thirteen people involved in a counterfeit traffic ring were indicted Thursday, including seven Philadelphia residents who allegedly conspired to sell fake tickets to Philadelphia events and the Super Bowl, among other things.
U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced the indictments Thursday, while saying the investigation is still ongoing and “not done by a long shot,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Here’s a breakdown of notable events the Philadelphia residents allegedly sold counterfeit tickets for, many of which were in Philadelphia:
• Rakee Russ: Super Bowl LI; Villanova vs. Virginia basketball game at Villanova; ACC men’s basketball tournament; FIFA World Cup qualifier between U.S. and Costa Rica in Philadelphia
• Khiale Warren: Copa America game in Philadelphia; an Eagles-Vikings game in Philadelphia; Phish concert in Philadelphia
• Rodney Higginbottom: Copa America game in Philadelphia; Eagles-Vikings game in Philadelphia; Phish concert in Philadelphia
• Mustafa Tucker: Super Bowl LI; 2014 NBA All-Star Game in Louisiana
• Malik Brown: Super Bowl LI, 2014 NBA All-Star Game in Louisiana; Phish concert in Philadelphia; Eagles-Falcons 2018 home opener
• Kevin Sadat: Super Bowl LI; 2014 NBA All-Star Game in Louisiana
• Edward Dunmore: Phish concert in Philadelphia
McSwain made the announcement in Atlanta, Georgia, ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl 53 between the Patriots and Rams.
“When fans spend their hard-earned money on tickets and merchandise, they deserve the real deal," McSwain said in a release.
"These defendants repeatedly targeted events based on profitability and perpetrated a fraud on unsuspecting fans. These indictments send a clear message that phony ticket sales are a federal case – one that we will pursue to the fullest extent of the law.”
Follow Adam & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @adamwhermann | @thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice
Add Adam's RSS feed to your feed reader
Have a news tip? Let us know.
