New Scandal Involving Michigan as Fraud Selling Fake Tickets, Bryce Underwood & J.J McCarthy Memorabilia Exposed
from Kamran Ahmad from Essentially CFB! A community for College Football fans who live for the game and stay ahead of every storyline.
Just as the memory of Sherrone Moore was fading away, and the exit of Warde Manuel was at least symbolically achieved, here comes another controversy putting Michigan back in the headlines. Except this time, the administration is actually innocent. It’s a fan taking advantage of other Michigan fans.
A Plymouth-based man built a sizable Michigan football community that thrived on the passion of the Wolverines’ fanbase. His organization, Hailgate, began as a donor-led initiative focused on events, tailgates, and merchandise sales. Following Michigan’s 2023 national championship season, its popularity grew significantly. Now, the organization has been accused of running widespread scams through that same community.
FOX 2 Detroit reported that Hailgate has allegedly scammed nearly 400 people. More than 600 people have also joined a Facebook group called “HailGate Victims” to share similar experiences, though that number does not necessarily represent confirmed victims. The Plymouth-based owner, John Klein, is accused of leading the scam surrounding this year’s Morgan Wallen concert, which is set to take place at the Big House. According to several accounts, Hailgate allegedly scammed UM fans after promising them Michigan memorabilia and even a meetup with Morgan Wallen. However, nothing of that sort happened.
“He was saying he could get team-signed helmets with Bryce on them, so I sent him the money. I ended up sending him $700 for a team-signed helmet and one of the footballs with the Michigan logo,” a Florida man, Brett Laskey, said to FOX 2 Detroit. “And I reached out to him. I go, ‘Hey, how’d it go? When are you going to send my helmet?’ And he comes back with, ‘Oh, they aren’t signing the way I wanted them to sign. They were only doing initials.’ He’s compromised.”
Laskey later recovered his money only after filing a small claims lawsuit, more than a year after making the purchase.
Another customer, Chelsea Anderson, said she paid $125 for what she believed was a legitimate Morgan Wallen meet-and-greet package after trusting Klein’s reputation within the Michigan community. “Looking back, I should’ve known better because I know Morgan Wallen doesn’t do meet and greets, but I just thought he had some crazy connection,” Anderson told FOX 2. “It wasn’t like your grandma’s scammer. I just thought he knew someone through U-M or through Morgan Wallen.”
That’s not all. In Facebook promotions, Klein advertised ‘Wallen Jerseys #6 or #26 Maize White’ for $100 and signatures on the jersey for $115. Additionally, he claimed to have organized a full-hour meet-and-greet for two people for $1,500. Another promotion advertised what he called a “Kissing Babies and Taking Pics” package for $125 per person. None of these offerings were fulfilled, according to victims.
“Wallen does not participate in any VIP activities,” the message on Ticketmaster reads. “Packages do not include a Meet & Greet or Photograph with Morgan Wallen.”
Wallen’s concert is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Big House. Ann Arbor police have also urged fans to purchase tickets only through verified platforms and to report suspected scams if they believe they have been targeted. Klein allegedly exploited his reputation as a UM insider with program connections to lend credibility to his offers. Jessika Tyler, who previously worked with Klein’s business, alleged that victims’ combined losses could exceed $1 million. She also accused him of selling fake memorabilia.
This is a high-profile example of trust-based sports fraud, and it is certainly not the only one. In July 2025, Brett Lemieux, the founder of an Indiana-based sports collectibles outlet called Mister Mancave (and its associated entities), became the subject of a massive multi-agency law enforcement sweep.
Lemieux operated a forgery operation that utilized sophisticated autopens and replica artists to falsify autographs across thousands of high-value items. He stamped them with counterfeit Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) bearing the forged markers of major trusted brands like Fanatics, Panini, and JSA. Before allegedly taking his own life, Lemieux had admitted online that the scheme generated over $350 million in fraudulent sales spanning two decades.
In February, federal prosecutors secured guilty pleas from two brothers, Donald and Mark Henkel, who were running a 15-year-long counterfeit enterprise. Rather than targeting modern college standouts, the Henkels systematically fabricated vintage sports history. They manufactured fake baseballs and bats purportedly signed by legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Honus Wagner.
They artificially aged the gear to pass rigorous collector checks, tricking major auction houses into selling them to top-tier investors. The brothers admitted to fraud that caused $780,000 and $332,500, respectively, in financial losses to victims.
“We have to be vigilant, we have to be aware,” said Ryan Hoge, president of grading and authentication at Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), as reported by ESPN. “And if [we] start seeing different styles or large quantities of something where the style is slightly off, we’ll circle the wagons.”
As for the current case involving John Klein, among the most serious allegations are claims that he sold memorabilia bearing forged signatures of Michigan football figures Bryce Underwood, J.J. McCarthy, and Charles Woodson. Brett Laskey also alleged that Klein promised him Michigan memorabilia and season tickets that never materialized. After filing a lawsuit, Laskey recovered his $700. Michigan has now released a statement.
Michigan releases a statement regarding John Klein
On July 17, Wallen’s attorneys had already sent a cease-and-desist letter to Klein. The pop singer’s team accused him of unauthorized advertising and of selling VIP tickets and merchandise. The attorneys’ letter states that Klein was not a representative of Wallen and that Wallen had not authorized him to use the singer’s trademarks, name, or image. Not only that, but it also instructed him to retain all documents, emails, and financial records and to provide proof of compliance by July 20. Michigan has also clarified its stance.
“Michigan Athletics has never had a business relationship with John Klein,” UM’s athletics spokesperson David Ablauf said in a statement. “Before last football season, we were made aware of some issues by parents within the football program, who dealt with him from an NIL standpoint, as well as former student-athletes who had issues with Klein. On multiple occasions, our licensing agency has sent Klein cease-and-desist letters regarding unlicensed merchandise.”
As of Wednesday, Plymouth Township police had received multiple complaints related to Klein, although no criminal investigation into the recent allegations had been announced. People who believe they were scammed have been asked to file reports with Plymouth Township police because Hailgate is registered there.
Meanwhile, several customers have begun pursuing legal action or disputing charges through their banks. Laskey, who also alleged Klein ran a separate $599 scam involving Michigan-related items, recovered his money after filing another small claims lawsuit. According to court records, Klein has multiple criminal cases in Oakland County Circuit Court. Court records also show prior criminal convictions, including pleading guilty in one case involving false pretenses and identity theft-related offenses.