Authorities in Philadelphia have launched an investigation into a series of “fake” ads placed at bus stops around the city over the weekend, purporting to show the city’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles endorsing the vice president. Kamala Harris for the presidency.
The Election Task Force at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation into fraudulent endorsements. NBC 10 Philadelphia reported on Tuesday.
The ads were placed on SEPTA bus stop shelters over the weekend, and featured a picture of the vice president wearing a forest green Eagles helmet. The text below the image claims she is the “Official Candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles”.
“We are aware that fake political ads are being broadcast and are working with our advertising partners to remove them,” Eagles said. Post to X on Monday.
Intersection, the advertising agency contracted by the city to sell advertising space at SEPTA stops, confirmed that neither the Eagles nor Intersection had anything to do with the ads.
The ad agency said it has removed seven fake advertisements from bus stops.
In a statement sent to The Daily Beast, the company said they are currently exploring their other advertising spaces at bus shelters and are considering filing a police report.
“We consider this act not only vandalism, but also theft, as the criminals stole both existing ad copy and paid ad space,” Intersection said. “The revenue generated from these ads is important, as a portion goes to the City and helps maintain bus shelters, which are valuable amenities for the citizens of Philadelphia. When advertisements are illegally removed or altered, it undermines our ability to generate revenue and support the overall bus shelter program.”
Ad boxes at SEPTA stops are usually locked, but occasionally people find ways to break the locks and place “unauthorized content” in the spaces, the company said.
A spokesperson for the city’s transportation department said Philadelphia Inquirer Political advertisements are not allowed at bus stops.
The Harris campaign did not return a request for comment from The Daily Beast. A representative for the campaign previously told NBC 10 they did not buy the ads.
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