Fake Willie Mays Sports Memorabilia Scam: Feds Charge Concord Man

CONCORD, CA —A Concord man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to selling fraudulent sports memorabilia — including a $100,000 bat he said Willie Mays used in the 1954 World Series.

Concord sports memorabilia dealer Daniel Damato, 42, was charged on Oct. 20 with one count of wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California.

The DOJ said between 2022 and 2024, Damato tried to pass off worthless sports gear as memorabilia collectibles to unsuspecting buyers at inflated prices.

Damato admitted to selling a baseball bat in 2023 for $100,000 that he claimed Willie Mays used in the 1954 World Series, but that was a “factory error,” an inch shorter than the one the Major League champion used during his career, according to federal prosecutors. Damato then collected payment for the bat but sent the buyer nothing, prosecutors said. In addition, the DOJ accused Damato of selling a jersey for $50,000 that he falsely claimed Mays wore in a game.

After the FBI searched his home in October 2024, the DOJ accused Damato of trying to obstruct the government's investigation by contacting at least one potential witness, according to the U.S. District Attorney's office.

Damato’s sentencing is scheduled for March 23, 2026, before District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín.