---
title: "US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Sue REPS & Co Over Concert Ticket Resales"
url: https://noti.group/us-department-of-justice-and-federal-trade-commission-sue-reps-co/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Entertainment"
published: 2026-10-16T00:12:07.000Z
updated: 2026-10-16T01:37:00.714Z
id: b1ba4c56-2301-45c0-8d62-5a2542e3aa59
source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/feds-sue-ticket-broker-firm-over-alleged-120m-scheme-1236733407/"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/us-department-of-justice-and-federal-trade-commission-sue-reps-co/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Sue REPS & Co Over Concert Ticket Resales

The US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission have filed a lawsuit against ticket resale firm REPS & Co, accusing them of violating federal laws to resell concert tickets worth over $120 million in profit.

The US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission have filed a lawsuit against REPS & Co, a San Diego-based ticket resale firm, accusing them of violating federal laws to resell concert tickets worth over $120 million in profit.

The complaint alleges that REPS & Co used thousands of accounts across various ticket services, including Ticketmaster and AXS, to circumvent purchase limits. This tactic allowed the company to acquire an enormous number of tickets for a wide range of events, totaling more than 18.6 million tickets for around 83,500 concerts.

The lawsuit specifically targets REPS' alleged use of multiple accounts to acquire tickets for high-demand shows featuring popular artists such as Beyoncé and Pitbull. The companies involved in the ticketing services have implemented purchase limits to prevent similar abuses, but REPS allegedly found ways to bypass these restrictions.

One notable example cited in the complaint is the company's handling of tickets for one of Beyoncé's Renaissance tour shows at Arrowhead Stadium on October 1, 2023. According to allegations, REPS used about 1,300 accounts to acquire 7,624 tickets and made around $833,323 in profit from their resale.

The investigation into ticket broker firm REPS has revealed further evidence of alleged wrongdoing.

According to allegations, the company used a sophisticated scheme to acquire concert tickets for popular events, including a Pitbull show at Empower FCU Amphitheater in 2024.

In that instance, REPS employed 700 accounts to purchase 5,430 tickets, resulting in over $120,000 in profit. This is just one example of the company's alleged tactics.

The agencies involved have accused REPS of hiring ticket purchasers in the Philippines and taking steps to conceal their online identities using VPNs and other methods.

This strategy allowed the company to buy up tickets before ordinary consumers could access them, driving up prices for fans who wanted to attend these events.

The live music industry is facing increased scrutiny from government agencies as they crack down on alleged anti-competitive practices. This trend is reflected in a recent executive order signed by President Trump last year, which calls for stricter enforcement of the BOTS Act and urges the Federal Trade Commission to investigate unfair conduct in the secondary ticketing market.

The FTC has already taken action against several major players in the industry. In 2024, they filed a lawsuit against concert giant Live Nation, accusing the company of colluding with ticket brokers to secure tickets before regular customers could access them. The Department of Justice also sued Live Nation on monopoly allegations around the same time, although the two parties later settled out of court.

The latest development in this ongoing saga is a lawsuit filed by the federal government against a ticket broker firm accused of operating a $120 million scheme to buy up tickets for high-profile events, including concerts featuring Beyoncé and Pitbull. This alleged strategy allowed the company to drive up prices for fans who wanted to attend these events, further highlighting concerns about unfair practices in the secondary ticketing market.

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Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/feds-sue-ticket-broker-firm-over-alleged-120m-scheme-1236733407/)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/us-department-of-justice-and-federal-trade-commission-sue-reps-co/
