San Diego brothers accused of defrauding sports fans

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Two San Diego brothers were indicted Wednesday on suspicion of defrauding sports fans by convincing 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, 62, and his twin, Leopold Casias Jr., were indicted on federal mail fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges for their operation of their L&T Sports Events Inc.

According to court documents, fans paid money to attend home games of the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders, as well as Notre Dame home games, among other events. 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 convinced 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.

The brothers, arrested Tuesday by the FBI, are set to appear in San Diego federal court Jan. 14.

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--Tony Perry in San Diego