Twin brothers admit duping San Diego sports fans on travel packages
Two San Diego brothers pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding sports fans by persuading them to pay for tickets, hotel accommodations and airline flights for out-of-town events and then failing to provide “nearly all the services.”
Anthony Casias and his twin, Leopold Casias Jr., 63, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in running their business, L&T Sports Events Inc.
One elderly victim told prosecutors that the brothers persuaded him to spend money that he had saved for his cremation.
According to court documents, fans paid to attend home games of the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders, as well as Notre Dame home games, among other events.
But fans found themselves stranded in Oakland, Chicago and Hoboken, N.J., without tickets, hotel rooms or return flights to San Diego, according to court documents.
In some cases, fans were persuaded by the Casias brothers to pay a second time for tickets, with a promise to be reimbursed. The promise proved to be false, according to the indictment.
U.S. District Court Judge John Houston remanded the brothers to jail, pending a bail hearing Oct. 4. Sentencing is set for Jan. 6.
Each brother faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and mandatory restitution to victims.
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Twitter: @LATsandiego
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