Claiming to have season tickets for sale, John Gorman took in more than $116,000 but never delivered the tickets, authorities said.
FREEHOLD -- A New York Giants season ticket holder admitted he swindled nearly two dozen fans out of more than $100,000 by selling them tickets he didn't even own, authorities said Tuesday.
John Gorman, 49, of Matawan, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of theft by deception in a scam that ran for nearly two years playing off the Giants' 2008 Super Bowl victory, said acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.
As a season ticket holder, Gorman received a program that he falsified to give the appearance that he had 28 season tickets to sell for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford in 2010 when he actually didn't, Gramiccioni said.
The fan paid in full and up front but never received the tickets, he said.
In all, Gorman stole more than $116,000 from 19 victims from throughout the tri-state area between Nov. 9, 2008, and July 31, 2010, he said.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend that Gorman's second-degree offense be treated as a third-degree crime, subjecting him to a potential five-year prison term instead of a maximum of 10 years behind bars, the acting prosecutor said.
The plea agreement allows for Superior Court Judge Patricia Roe to consider less prison time if Gorman pays a significant portion of the $116,650 in restitution before his Sept. 16 sentencing date in Toms River, Gramiccioni said.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.