Fake Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady Jerseys at Center of Westfield Sports Memorabilia Scam
What began with a tip from a North Carolina woman has unraveled into one of the largest sports memorabilia scams in recent memory, implicating autographed jerseys and collectibles from superstars like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Russell Wilson, Aaron Judge, and more.
The Tip That Sparked an Investigation
In February, a woman contacted Westfield police after receiving what she believed to be fraudulent merchandise from Mister Mancave, LLC — a company owned by 45-year-old Westfield resident Brett Lemieux. The tip launched a five-month investigation into the business, which operated an online store and sold memorabilia on other platforms.
The Scope of the Counterfeit Ring
As Westfield police dug deeper, they uncovered a sprawling operation allegedly run by Lemieux. According to a confession Lemieux posted on Facebook, he claimed to have made as much as $350 million from selling counterfeit autographed sports memorabilia. Victims came forward from across the country, each reporting that items purchased from Mister Mancave — including jerseys, footballs, baseball bats, and photographs — were later determined to be fake.
How the Scam Worked
Lemieux detailed in his online confession how he managed to replicate authentic-looking memorabilia. He allegedly gained illegal access to holograms — a security feature used by reputable companies like TriStar Sports, Mounted Memories, Steiner Sports, Fanatics, and Mill Creek Sports — which are meant to certify the authenticity of autographs and collectibles. Using these holograms and an autopen (a device that mimics signatures), Lemieux forged thousands of autographs from some of the biggest names in sports.
Steve Grad, an expert from Beckett Authentication Services and a regular on TV’s “Pawn Stars,” noted the industry had long suspected something was amiss:
“We had started seeing these really weird-looking Tom Brady jerseys and we kept saying, ‘These don’t look right. There’s something really off here.’ Well, it turns out, we were right. He did this with Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, and many others.”
Police Action and Tragic Turn
On July 15, Westfield police executed a search warrant at Mister Mancave’s business location, gathering a significant amount of evidence, including documentation and items linked to the alleged counterfeit scheme. The following day, the investigation led officers to a residence on the 300 block of Hoover Street, where they discovered Brett Lemieux deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police acknowledged the tragedy, stating,
“Any loss of life is a tragedy, and we extend our condolences to Mr. Lemieux’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
The Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Investigators are now working with third-party authenticators to review the seized items and determine the full extent of the operation. In his final Facebook post, Lemieux not only confessed but also named others who may have been involved, prompting police to continue their investigation into additional leads and possible accomplices.
Westfield police emphasized that the review process will take time, as they coordinate with authentication experts to assess the thousands of items collected during the raids.
A Warning for Collectors
This case serves as a stark warning for sports memorabilia collectors everywhere: Always verify the authenticity of autographed items through reputable third-party authentication services. The fallout from the Mister Mancave scam is likely to reverberate throughout the sports memorabilia industry for years to come.
