PHILADELPHIA – Two Philadelphia-area ticket brokers have been charged with conspiring to steal and sell thousands of U.S. Open tickets worth over $3.7 million. Jeremi Michael Conaway, 46, of West Chester, PA, and James Bell, 69, of Glen Mills, PA, were both charged by separate Informations with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of wire fraud.
According to the Informations, Conaway and Bell conspired with former United States Golf Association (“USGA”) employee Robert Fryer, who already pleaded guilty to similar charges, to operating a fraud scheme against the USGA whereby Fryer would steal U.S. Open tickets and provide them to Conaway and Bell in return for cash. The Informations further allege that Conaway and Bell sold these U.S. Open tickets through their companies for a profit.
The Informations allege that Conaway and Bell were able to acquire thousands of tickets to U.S. Open tournaments by buying stolen tickets from Fryer, who delivered the stolen U.S. Open tickets to Conaway and Bell sometimes in person, and sometimes by sending them via Federal Express or UPS, either to the ticket brokers themselves or directly to their customers.
Conaway, who initially worked for another ticket broker, began purchasing from Fryer stolen U.S. Open tickets in 2013, when the U.S. Open was held at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The Informations allege that in connection with the 2013 through 2015 U.S. Open tournaments, Conaway sold, through his then-employer, a total of 4,918 stolen U.S. Open tickets that he had obtained from Fryer, with a face value of $774,230.
Starting in 2015, Conaway began selling the stolen tickets through a new ticket broker company he owned and operated, Eagle Eye Ticketing Management, LLC (“Eagle Eye”). In connection with the 2015 through 2019 U.S. Open tournaments, Conaway purchased from Fryer and sold through Eagle Eye 10,586 stolen U.S. Open tournament tickets for $1,789,853, for which defendant Conaway paid Fryer $513,719, thus earning a profit of $1,276,134, which the Informations seek to have forfeited.
Bell, who operated Sherry’s Theater Ticket Agency, Inc. (“Sherry’s”), began purchasing stolen U.S. Open tickets from Fryer in 2017, in advance of the U.S. Open that was held at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin, and continued purchasing stolen tickets through the 2019 U.S. Open. The Informations allege that Bell paid Fryer $324,652 for at least 7,000 stolen U.S. Open tournament tickets, which Bell sold for $922,886, thus yielding a profit of $598,234, which the Informations seek to have forfeited.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams stated, “These defendants allegedly stole revenue from an American institution and legitimate business that pays taxes, employs many, supports a non-profit organization, and brings excitement and income to our district with U.S. Open events at courses like the Merion Golf Club.”
The U.S. Open is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, with tickets selling for thousands of dollars. The Informations allege that Conaway and Bell stole revenue from the USGA, causing the organization to lose millions of dollars in ticket revenue.
The case is ongoing, and the defendants are currently awaiting trial. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The total amount of stolen tickets is estimated to be over 20,000, with a face value of over $4.7 million.
As the U.S. Open approaches, fans are advised to be cautious when purchasing tickets, as any item with a low price that seems ‘too good to be true’ should be cause for caution and concern.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is handling the case.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Jeremi Michael Conaway
Criminal Charges: one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of wire fraud
City and State: Philadelphia, PA
Exact Date: 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Currently awaiting trial
Dollar Amounts: $774,230, $1,789,853, $513,719, $1,276,134, $324,652, $922,886, $598,234
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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