Daniel Damato, a 42-year-old resident of Concord, California, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court on Monday after admitting to selling fraudulent sports memorabilia and attempting to obstruct the FBI’s investigation into his activities.
Damato was charged by information on October 20, 2025, with one count of wire fraud. According to the charges, between 2022 and 2024 he operated as a sports memorabilia dealer who altered items and created false provenance documents to make them appear as authentic collectibles. He then sold these items at inflated prices to unsuspecting buyers.
In his plea agreement, Damato admitted that in 2023 he sold a baseball bat for $100,000 by falsely claiming it had been used by Willie Mays during the 1954 World Series. In reality, the bat was a “factory error” that was an inch shorter than those Mays used in his career. The buyer never received any item after transferring $100,000 to Damato.
He also acknowledged selling other fraudulent items, including a jersey he claimed was game-worn by Mays for $50,000.
Following an FBI search of his residence in October 2024, Damato contacted at least one potential witness in an effort to obstruct the government’s investigation.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez announced the case. “United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez made the announcement.”
Damato is scheduled for sentencing on March 23, 2026 before District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines and relevant statutes under Title 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Abraham Fine is prosecuting the case with support from Amala James. The case stems from an FBI investigation.
