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SoCal Promoter Arrested
San Bernardino County sheriff’s detectives arrested a promoter for selling tickets to an oldies concert he didn’t have the license or permits for.
Richard Gomez of Green Diamond Entertainment was arrested and charged May 4th with suspicion of grand theft and violation of parole on forgery charges after would-be concertgoers called city officials about the event.
At least 19 people purchased VIP tickets to the “Festival of Legends” concert scheduled to be held at the Epicenter Sports and Entertainment Complex in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., June 10th.
Gomez applied for a business license but allegedly didn’t complete the application process, according to the San Bernardino County Sun. He was told by city officials he couldn’t sell any tickets until he completed the required paperwork.
The application was denied in late April when officials found Gomez had sold VIP tickets to the event in March, the paper said.
In addition to the license problem, Gomez reportedly claimed he could attract 20,000 people to the Epicenter, home to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes baseball team. The city limits concerts at the venue to 5,000 people.
“Gomez just seemed to be on his own agenda at that point and insisted that he could make 20,000 people in that venue work,” Detective Mike Landavazo told the paper.
The “Festival of Legends” concert is advertised on Green Diamond’s Web site as featuring “over 50 legendary acts.”
The Surfaris’ founder and guitarist Bob Berryhill told the Sun he was leery of doing business with the promoter because of a previous experience with him regarding a Reno, Nev., gig.
“He made several promises; I don’t know what the deal is with him,” Berryhill told the paper. “Why would a guy go to all the trouble to get all the permits and try to put something on and never consummate any deals with people?”