Hermosa Beach Woman Charged With Selling Fake Lady Gaga Tickets
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A Hermosa Beach woman is facing dozens of fraud charges today, in connection with a scandal involving tickets to a recent Lady Gaga concert.
Debra Louise Brass was arrested by Hermosa Beach Police on Friday, on suspicion of selling fake tickets to the August 11 show at Staples Center.
"The suspect had advertised tickets on Craigslist for the highly sought after Lady Gaga concert on August 11, 2010,” said Hermosa Beach Police Sgt. Robert Higgins.
Higgins said a Hermosa Beach resident/victim came to the station the day of the concert to report they had purchased tickets for a Lady Gaga concert at the Staple’s Center from a seller on Craigslist.
He added when the Hermosa Beach resident/victim showed up at the Staple’s Center to attend the concert, she was denied entry by concert staff because the tickets turned out to be fraudulent.
Through her attorney, Allison Margolin, Brass said someone else sold the tickets, over and over again, after she decided not to go to the concert, and sold her six tickets on Craigslist.
She said she went to Hermosa Beach police after buyers began complaining to her about the fake tickets, but that they arrested her at her workplace instead, parading her past her co-workers in handcuffs.
"She went in there on her own accord to rectify the situation, and then two weeks later she was jailed and bruised by the police," Margolin said. "She was treated like a common criminal."
Sgt. Higgins told reporters that police have computer, phone and banking records that "support our case," and strongly indicate that we got the right person.
"Brass is free on $20,000 bail, with arraignment set for October 13 at the Torrance Court House," added Sgt. Higgins.
The 28-year old Hermosa Beach resident faces more than 30 counts of theft under false pretenses.
