Two hustlers were hauled into a Manhattan courtroom today to face charges they bilked event promoters out of more than $2 million by promising to book Rihanna, Kesha and Lady Gaga for events — even though they had absolutely no connection to the superstars.
But it was the judge who stole the show.
As prosecutors described how Vincent Carroll, 47, and Meceo Mceaddy, 38, allegedly duped a Brazilian production company by falsely claiming they repped Rihanna and that she’d perform three concerts in Rio de Janeiro, the judge interrupted with: “Who is this?”
“Rihanna,” assistant district attorney Vimi Bhatia answered.
“Spell it,” McLaughlin demanded, causing giggles in the courtroom. “Two ‘n’s?”
As Bhatia described a similar scam in which Mceaddy allegedly claimed he could book Kesha and Lady Gaga for concerts on Long Island and in Taiwan, it was clear the judge was still somewhat stymied.
“Lady Gaga, I’ve actually heard about,” he said playfully.
“A relative of mine went to the same high school as she did. But the other one [Kesha] I don’t have a clue.
“Spell it,” the judge said.
Carroll and Mceaddy are accused of using their ill-gotten gains for personal expenses including jewelry, car payments and travel.
The duo are both charged with grand larceny and felony fraud. Mceaddy faces additional charges.
The judge set Carroll’s bail at $650,000 and Mceaddy’s at $1 million. Mceaddy has a colorful history of impersonating cops, in addition to numerous big-wig music managers, authorities said.