Tension filled the air as Tammy Allin stood behind the boards of a Burlington arena last summer, coaching her teenage daughter’s lacrosse team.
Just a few feet away was a woman who sold Allin and other parents fake tickets for Taylor Swift shows in Toronto. The global superstar brought her Eras Tour to the city in November 2024.
Tammy Allin was among many parents scammed with phony Taylor Swift tickets by a former friend whose kids played hockey and lacrosse with her 13-year-old daughter.
Cathie Coward/The
Tisor, 45, promised people tickets, only to pocket $265,330 for herself and Blake – more than half of which went toward online gambling, according to court documents.
Denise Tisor (right) and David Blake (behind pole) hurry past media outside the Milton courthouse after their July 15 court appearance.
The file photo
The fallout from this scam has changed the social dynamics of what used to be a close-knit community of parents in Burlington. Many, including some who weren’t scammed but are friends with those who were, have tried to avoid Tisor even as she keeps attempting to talk with people in the stands at sports games and elsewhere, according to three parents who spoke to The Spectator.
Today, resentments still linger within certain Burlington parent circles. Allin and others told The Spectator they feel betrayed by Tisor – someone they knew because their kids played in the same sport leagues or attended the same school.
“She mined her personal relationships to sell these tickets,” said Jennifer Beck, who gave Tisor $1,050 for tickets for herself and her teenage daughter.
Both Tisor and her lawyer declined multiple requests for comment over several months.
Blake, 58, also declined to comment.
But on July 15, after pleading guilty before a judge in Milton, Tisor apologized in a now-deleted Facebook post, Beck said.
“To those who were once close friends, to those who trusted me, and to everyone whose lives were affected, I am truly sorry,” Tisor wrote in the post – a transcript of which was shared with The Spectator.
Tisor has also reached out directly to individuals to apologize according to Beck and Allin. However, Beck said she isn’t interested in reconciling until Tisor “shows some effort to start paying back the money that she stole.”
Both Tisor and Blake are set to return to court in early August for scheduling a sentencing hearing. Tisor could face jail time; her long record of past convictions for non-violent crimes from the early 2000s-including drug trafficking and probation breaches-could influence the judge’s decision. Blake has also faced prior convictions related to theft under $5,000 back in 2002.
While many have cut ties with Tisor, others have kept their relationships intact – although doing so risks judgment from those still upset about what happened.
“Everyone affected from this had some sort of fallout,” said Beck. “There’s lasting consequences – much beyond just financial losses.”
Buyers found Denise Tisor trustworthy
Before November 2024 rolled around, Tisor was well-liked among people within her extended social circles.
“Denise was a very nice person,” said Beck while describing Tisor as a “friendly acquaintance.” “I really believe she was just trying hard as a mum.”.
The two met back in 2019 when their sons played on the same hockey team. They stayed connected through Facebook after that season ended; following COVID-19 lockdowns, Beck began buying concert tickets from Tisorthat included artists like Madonnaand P! nk.
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