In the latest instance of the desperate measures folks will go through to attend a Taylor Swift concert, a Florida man was arrested last week after police claimed he posed as a security guard to get into the first of her Miami shows.
As reported by local news, Ivan Mariotti was arrested on Friday (October 18th) at Hard Rock Stadium on charges of falsely impersonating an officer and interference with a sporting or entertainment event.
According to an arrest report, Mariotti was spotted “dressed in a suit wearing a badge over his neck, near the floor/field area of the venue” by an actual security guard. When questioned by authorities, Mariotti said he was “hired by four women to work as a security guard and he escorted said women onto (the) property and to their respective seats.”
However, two of the women told police their aunt had hired a driver for the evening and they didn’t know why he had a badge. Though Mariotti still insisted he worked for “multiple companies” as he was removed from the stadium, he was arrested and booked into jail.
An Italian national, Mariotti remained at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on an immigration hold and $1,500 bond as of Monday afternoon.
Mariotti was likely taking cues from the Swiftie who actually became a security guard last year, but he missed the part about going through proper channels.
Swift is set to wrap up the “Eras Tour” with upcoming shows in New Orleans, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Vancouver. To avoid desperate measures, look for deals on last-minute tickets here.
