Crogan Critics Having a Party But selling tactics seem somewhat suspicious

Does Brett Biro have jackets for sale that allegedly “fell off a truck”?

Among the most vocal critics of music promoter Rick Crogan, who recently copped to a single misdemeanor plea of petit larceny (normally given to shoplifters) after being charged with three felonies for allegedly stealing money he raised or earned for his music festival on Old Falls St., was a man named Brett Biro.

Biro, the vice president of the civic organization Niagara Rises, and presumably close to the whistleblower in the Crogan case, Betty Marchetti, the president of Niagara Rises, roundly condemned Cogan, who, Brio said, he spotted as a "snake" from day one.

Biro posted on the Facebook forum "Niagara Falls Anything Goes" that Crogan "lied and manipulated people and stole the money outright."

Referring to Crogan, he added, "I will not stop till there is an apology made to people who thought they were helping the CITY... I have to repeat that I would not have VOLUNTEERED my time if I knew there would be no benefit to anyone but HIM..... I would love to see a true number of what he pocketed off his use of saying it was a NOT-FOR-PROFIT EVENT..."

Now Biro and his brother Todd are quietly advertising something they clearly label is a for-profit event.

And it sounds interesting:

They are hosting a Northface gloves-purse party on Thursday (Dec 11) at 7 p. m. at Nashville North, 1414 Main St.

It is by invitation only.

Brett Biro sent an email to about 30 friends, one of which forwarded to us. He writes, "I am doing a major blowout of these goods….I need to know if you are interested… I will post the prices as soon as I get them… you know we will do another kick ass deal."

Brett's brother Todd seems to explain why they can offer the prices so low:

He posted on his Facebook on Dec 1 "PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS. .. I HAVE ACCESS TO NORTHFACE JACKETS... BRAND NEW IN ALL SIZE MEN AND WOMEN... THEY FELL OFF A TRUCK, SO DON'T BOTHER ASKING... I WILL ONLY DEAL WITH THOSE THAT PRIVATE MESSAGE!!!! …. OR YOU CAN PRIVATE MESSAGE Rachael Beth Kerrison-Biro too. No one can possibly beat my price... it is impossible... Private message only..."

He then added, in a comment, "My friends sell them cheap... let me know who wants to buy one and donate it... I'll take your order."

Meantime Brett wrote, "I am working on prices now my friends. I made this private because I keep getting turned in every time we do something here. If you have a friend I didn't get to, tell them and bring them…..THIS IS NOT MY GOODS and all I am doing is having the party."

Curious indeed. Goods "fell off a truck"…. These are "not my goods." "Nobody can beat my prices."

Well, of course, it does sound suspicious on its face.

In fact, one suspects one of three possibilities, none of them very savory:

1. They actually fell off a truck.

2. They are knock offs - which, by selling them as authentic, is fraud.

3. They were legitimately obtained, but marketed suggesting they are illegal or stolen.

Curiously, Brett sent his emails to Marchetti. It is not known what her reply was.

Still, it is peculiar that a guy that made such an issue over Crogan allegedly pretending he had a not for profit company when it was really a for profit company and pocketing some money (that may have been rightfully his), should be marketing alleged Northface purses, gloves or jackets at a private party that fell off a truck.

Stay tuned.