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Fake Tool T-Shirts Lead To Arrests


By VALERIE KALFRIN
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - The band Tool once sang, “You lie, cheat, and steal. I cannot tolerate it.”

Neither can Tampa police.

Based on an injunction the progressive-metal band filed in federal court to protect its merchandising, police arrested two men at the University of South Florida Sun Dome during the band’s concert Tuesday night after watching them sell counterfeit T-shirts.

Robert R. Giampino, 50, of Venice and Thomas Donald Ingram, 46, of Port St. Lucie are each charged with forging or counterfeiting private labels. The first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in prison.

According to a criminal report affidavit, police observed the two at the arena at 4202 E. Fowler Ave. about 11:10 p.m. selling T-shirts with the band’s silk-screened trademark. The total amount of T-shirts Giampino had are valued at less than $1,000, the affidavit states.

Tool has registered its trademark and filed an injunction with federal courts, making the unauthorized T-shirts counterfeit merchandise, the affidavit states.

Both men were released from a Hillsborough County jail on Wednesday. Each posted $500 bail.



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