PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A well-known Michigan football tailgater is the subject of three complaints that have been sent to the state’s Attorney General.
In an email to Local 4 on Thursday, the AG confirmed that its Consumer Protection Team has received three recent complaints about John Klein, the man behind “HailGate.”
“HailGate” is a popular Michigan Wolverines tailgate group and online social page.
Over the past several days, the Investigators at Local 4 have received dozens of complaints about Klein, claiming he promised Morgan Wallen tickets, meet-and-greets, game tickets, and signed memorabilia, accepted money, and didn’t follow through on what was promised.
While there aren’t currently any active criminal investigations open against Klein, he did receive a cease-and-desist letter from Wallen’s attorneys. In that letter, they demanded he stop advertising and selling anything related to the Country music star.
Klein, of Plymouth, was also told to issue full refunds to anyone he’d accepted money from in connection with the concert.
“Failure to comply will result in our client pursuing all available legal remedies without further notice,” the letter read.
On Thursday, we received the following message from the Michigan Attorney General:
The Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team has received three recent complaints concerning John Klein. All three complainants report having paid Mr. Klein for sports memorabilia that was never provided to them.
The Consumer Protection Team has an open file concerning these complaints against Mr. Klein and will continue to review the reports. Our office encourages any customer who purchased goods or services that were not delivered to make a complaint to the Consumer Protection Team.
Michigan Attorney General's Office
Click here to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Team.
“Although we do not admit any liability, wrongdoing, or violation of any law or agreement, we have chosen to voluntarily remove the affected listing while we review the matter,” Klein wrote on Facebook, in response to the cease-and-desist from Wallen’s team. “We are offering a full refund to any customers impacted by these charges.”
Plymouth Township police confirmed to Local 4 that they have also received multiple complaints about Klein. Since HailGate is registered in Plymouth Township, those who believe they’ve been scammed should file a report with that department.
Court records show Klein has prior criminal convictions, including using false pretenses to defraud someone and felony identity theft. He has no convictions in the past 10 years.
Multiple small claims filings against him have also been found in court records.
Click here to read Lauren Kostiuk’s original report, or continue reading for more information.
‘We have received nothing’
Mathias Conant was planning to fly in his daughter and granddaughter for the Morgan Wallen concert at Michigan Stadium this weekend.
He said he purchased four tickets, a meet-and-greet, a signed guitar, and tailgate wristbands -- all through Klein.
“We gave him about $3,200, and we have received nothing,” Conant said. “For the last few weeks, it’s been ‘Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.’”
Conant said he bought two tickets last fall and later added two more.
Conant said Klein then reached out personally, asking if he would be interested in a meet-and-greet and a signed guitar from Wallen.
Conant said yes, and sent him the money.
He said he trusted Klein because of the HailGate connection.
“We have gone to tailgates there for Michigan games,” Conant said. “So I thought he was legit and a standup guy.”
Less than an hour after his interview with Local 4, Conant said Klein issued a refund, but when Local 4 checked back Tuesday, the money was still listed as “pending.”
“Do you think you are going to get your money back?” Lauren asked.
“I don’t expect to see it,” Conant said.
Community trust exploited, victims say
Chelsea Anderson said she purchased what she believed was a legitimate meet-and-greet package through Klein last fall.
“I thought, ‘He’s friends with people I’m friends with. He’s done all these tailgates in Ann Arbor,’” Anderson said.
Like many others, Anderson said she was told additional details would be provided closer to the concert date. She said those details never came.
When she finally reached out directly to Klein asking for more information, she said he told her she didn’t have a meet-and-greet. She then sent him proof of her Venmo payment.
When she posted her concerns inside the HailGate Facebook group, she said her comments were deleted, and she was kicked out of the group entirely. Many other victims report the same experience.
Anderson said she finally received her refund Tuesday, which was after Local 4 had contacted Klein. But she didn’t receive an apology.
“It’s not just some internet scammer that doesn’t live around you,” Anderson said. “He’s involved in our community.”
What people say Klein was selling
In November, he posted a raffle for a meet-and-greet. In December, he promoted what he called a “Kissing Babies and Taking Pics” package -- $125 per person. He also promoted a full-hour meet-and-greet that included merchandise, drinks and photos for $1,500 for two people.
A website that Local 4 found separately offered maize-and-blue Wallen jerseys with signatures for $115.
But Ticketmaster’s official listing for Wallen’s concerts explicitly states, “Wallen does not participate in any VIP activities. Packages do not include a Meet-and-greet or photograph with Morgan Wallen.”
A source close to the concert also told Local 4 that the meet-and-greet offers were not legitimate.
When Kostiuk asked Klein about Ticketmaster’s clarification, he pushed back, insisting Wallen had done meet-and-greets in Las Vegas and Indianapolis and that he had photos to prove it.
“He does it all the time,” Klein told Local 4 over the phone Monday. “It is incorrect information. They don’t want you asking about meet-and-greets.”
Kostiuk pressed Klein on whether his customers would receive what they had paid for.
“On Friday and Saturday, you are telling me, people are going to get their tickets?” Lauren asked. “People are going to get these meet-and-greets? People are going to get signed guitars? Everyone is going to be good to go? And get what they paid for?”
“Correct,” Klein replied.
Local 4 called Klein again on Wednesday, but he did not answer.
University of Michigan’s response
University of Michigan athletics spokesperson David Ablauf said the university has never had a business relationship with Klein and confirmed prior issues involving current and former student-athletes.
“Before last football season, we were made aware of some issues by parents within the football program, who dealt with him from an NIL standpoint, as well as former student-athletes who had issues with Klein,” Ablauf said. “On multiple occasions, our licensing agency has sent Klein cease-and-desist letters regarding unlicensed merchandise that he was selling.”
Looking ahead
Some of the people who paid Klein say they’ve received what appear to be valid tickets.
Others say they’ve disputed charges with their bank. Some report receiving full refunds.
Local 4 has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Plymouth Township Police for all reports related to Klein.
Wallen is set to headline two shows at the Big House on Friday and Saturday nights.
Local 4 cannot verify every single claim we’ve received, but we have reviewed payment confirmations and message threads from multiple people.