Bill Would Ban Scalpers from Profiting on Charity Concerts

Scalpers such as those trying to make a buck off of coveted Superstorm Sandy 12-12-12 benefit tickets may soon have to don a Brilliant Disguise if they want to avoid the heavy hand of the law.

State Sen. Daniel Squadron on Wednesday announced legislation that would ban the resale of charity event tickets for more than their face value.

"Events like this are about artists donating their time for a good cause. Yet today, profiteers are able to co-opt charity events to line their own pockets— creating false ticket shortages for consumers and undermining events meant to help those in need," Squadron said in a statement.

The legislation comes just hours before the 12-12-12 benefit show at Madison Square Garden, with a superstar lineup that includes Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, the Who, Kanye West and Paul McCartney.

Squadron isn't the only pol decrying the rampant profiteering.

Last Thursday, Sen. Charles Schumer requested that StubHub and other ticketing sites ban the inflated resale of tickets or make sellers promise to give the money to charity.

Instead, the company opted to donate all of its service fees—which it claims amount to 24 percent of each purchase—to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which is distributing the funds from the concert.

But service fees are mere chump change next to the most expensive listed tickets. As of Wednesday afternoon, the priciest pass was was a floor-level seat going for $10,400.

According to the New York Times, the face value of the 13,500 available tickets ranged from $150 to $2,500.