NOTICE: Only disciplines up to March 2008 will be reflected here.
Please click here to view discipline actions created after March 2008.
Publishable disciplines
include reprimand, suspension, probation, revocations and fines not to
exceed $10,000 per each violation. Non-published sanctions include
Administrative Warning Letters and Administrative Supervision which may be
offered with or without conditions.
Note: The following is
a summary of recent disciplinary actions recommended by the Illinois
Auction Advisory Board and imposed by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation. For brevity, some of the facts and
conclusions may have been edited out. Because these are summaries only,
and because each case is unique, these summaries should not be relied on
as precedent as to how similar cases may be handled.
2008
Annawan:
Jay Wilson
Respondent was fined $1,000.00 for engaging in licensed auction
activities while his auction license was expired.
Rockford:
John M. Brown
Auctioneer refused renewal for being more than 30 days delinquent on
child support payments. License will not be renewed until proof that all
child support liabilities have been paid is provided.
2007
Belleville:
Richard G. Kohl,
Jr.
The auction license was reprimanded for engaging in the
practice of auctioneering on an expired license.
Coatsburg:
James Brinkman
The
auction license was revoked for a minimum of 2 years for failure to
complete statutorily required continuing education.
Crystal
Lake:
William Speechley and
Bonnie Speechley
A $10,000.00 fine was assessed against both
William Speechley and Bonnie Speechley for engaging in the unlicensed
practice of auctioneering through a business known as Express Auction
Store.
Fairfield:
Melvin Harrelson
The "41" auction license was reprimanded for advertising the sale of
real estate without having a "40" auction license or a real estate
license.
McHenry:
James L. Bohenstengel
The auction license of James Bohenstengel was indefinitely suspended
for failure to comply with statutorily mandated continuing education
requirements.
Quincy:
Cecil Steffen,
Jr.
The auction license was revoked for violating the terms of a
prior disciplinary order.
Sullivan:
Sullivan Auction
Enterprises, Inc.
The auction entity license was assessed a $500.00
fine for engaging in auction activities for a brief period before the
license was issued.
Toledo:
Charles Eugene Blagg
The auction license was revoked for a minimum period through August
15, 2011, and a fine in the amount of $10,000.00 was assessed, against Mr.
Blagg for having engaged in the practice of auctioneering in violation of
a prior disciplinary order.
Out of
State - 2007 Auction Disciplines:
Canoga Park,
California:
Knightsbridge Galleries, a
Division of D&M Auctioneers
Knightsbridge Galleries, a
Division of D&M Auctioneers, was assessed a civil fine in the amount
of $40,000.00 for engaging in the unlicensed practice of auctioneering in
Illinois.
David Pickman (Canoga
Park, CA)
The auction license of David Pickman was indefinitely
suspended for aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of Knightsbridge
Galleries, Division of D&M Auctioneers.
Chamblee,
Georgia:
Dion G. Abadi
The
auction license of Dion Abadi was indefinitely suspended for failure to
comply with statutorily mandated continuing education requirements.
North Bergen, New
Jersey:
Dublin Galleries, Inc.
Dublin Galleries, Inc. was assessed a civil fine in the amount of
$7,500.00 for engaging in the unlicensed practice of auctioneering in
Illinois.
Herndon,
Virginia:
United States Liquidators, Inc.
aka USL Auctions
United States Liquidators, Inc. was assessed a
civil fine of $12,500.00 for engaging in the unlicensed practice of
auctioneering in Illinois.
2006
Aledo:
Lane Hyett September
14, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and assessed a $300.00
fine for failure to complete statutorily required continuing education.
Chapin:
James Lakamp September
14, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and assessed a $300.00
fine for failure to complete statutorily required continuing education.
Cherry:
Peggy Robbins and John
Robbins May 4, 2006
Peggy Robbins was assessed a $10,000.00 civil
fine for engaging in the unlicensed practice of auctioneering. John
Robbins was assessed a $10,000.00 civil fine for engaging in the
unlicensed practice of auctioneering.
Chicago:
John Hart Fine Wine
Ltd. December 21, 2006
The auction entity license was reprimanded
and a $7,000.00 fine assessed for engaging the practice of auctioneering
without a license during 2005 and through August 16, 2006.
Kensington Wine
Auctioneers & Brokers, Inc. August 16, 2006
A civil fine in the
amount of $17,500.00 was assessed based upon allegations that Kensington
Wine Auctioneers & Brokers, Inc., engaged in the unlicensed practice
of auctioneering, including conducting 23 auctions.
M. Klein Auctions LLC and
Lawrence Rittle May 4, 2006
The auction entity license of M. Klein
Auctions LLC was placed on probation for 1 year and a $1,000.00 fine was
assessed against the entity; and the action license of Lawrence Rittle
(the entity's managing auctioneer) was suspended for 60 days and a
$1,000.00 fine was assessed against Lawrence Rittle. The disciplines were
based upon allegations of failing to properly service three
seller-clients.
Chillicothe:
Roger Hamby August 17,
2006
The auction license was revoked based upon allegations that Mr.
Hamby failed to comply with the terms of a prior disciplinary order.
Cuba:
Junior Bishop November
6, 2006
The auction license was revoked for a minimum of 2 years for
failure to complete statutorily required continuing education.
Erie:
Gary Herschberger May
4, 2006
The auction license was indefinitely suspended for failing to
account for funds acquired as an auctioneer.
Galesburg:
Gary Wessels October
25, 2006
The auctioneer license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine
assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Hampshire:
Shawn Dunning November
6, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine
assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Lexington:
Thomas F. Murphy September 14, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and assessed a
$300.00 fine for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Machesney
Park:
Dan Banister July 14,
2006
The auction license was revoked for a minimum period of 2 years
based upon allegations that Mr. Banister, inter alia, failed to account
for monies and properties belonging to clients.
Montrose:
Robert Mallernee May
4, 2006
Robert Mallernee was assessed a $40,000.00 civil fine for
engaging in the unlicensed practice of auctioneering.
New
Lennox:
Steve P. Konjevich April 6, 2006
The auctioneer license was terminated for failing to
rectify a dishonored check submitted to IDFPR.
Nokomis:
Daniel K. Matthews October 4, 2006
The auctioneer license was reprimanded and a $300.00
fine assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Orion:
Bruce Anderson November 16, 2006
The
auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine assessed for failure to
complete statutorily required continuing education.
Pecatonica:
Swan Hachmeister November 6, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine
assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Poplar
Grove:
Roger Allen Mackeben October 25, 2006
The application for an auction license was granted
subject to Probation for a period of one year based upon the disclosure of
a conviction for drug possession.
Quincy:
Cecil Steffen, Jr. June 14, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded, and a $1,000.00
fine was assessed, based on allegations that Mr. Steffen, Jr.: (i) acted
as the auctioneer for an unlicensed auction corporation, (ii) used a name
in his auction advertising (Wayne Steffen) that was different than the
name that appeared on his auction license, and (iii) acted as the
auctioneer for the auction of real estate without a real estate
license.
Sparta:
Willard Bockhorn April
7, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded for re-opening bidding on
items after the sale to a buyer was final.
Saint
Anne:
James Witvoet August
18, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and assessed a $300.00
fine for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
St.
Charles:
Kalvin Boewe May 4,
2006
The auction license was revoked and Kalvin Boewe was assessed a
fine of $10,000.00 for submitting a check to a client that was returned
for insufficient funds from a closed account; for charging the client a
commission that was inconsistent with the commission terms in the
client-contract; for failing to account to another client; for failing to
properly register an assumed business name with the Division; and for
failing to respond to request for information from the Division.
Out of
State - 2006 Auction Disciplines:
San Francisco,
CA:
Ronald Charyn November
6, 2006
On July 19, 2006, the Division filed a complaint alleging that
the licensee had stated on his 2005 renewal form that he had completed
statutorily required continuing education when in fact he had not done so.
In lieu of completing the required courses, the licensee requested that
his license be allowed to lapse. As a result, on November 6, 2006, a
Consent Order was entered providing that the license be canceled and
refused renewal for a period of two years.
Richard A. Reese November 16, 2006
The auctioneer license was reprimanded and a $300.00
fine assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Branford,
CT:
William Gardner October 4, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine
assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Scott Lonkart September 14, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and
assessed a $300.00 fine for failure to complete statutorily required
continuing education.
Hollywood,
FL:
Arthur Horowitz December 15, 2006
The auction license was revoked for a minimum of 2
years for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
DeWitt,
IA:
David Delaney October
4, 2006
The auction license was revoked for a minimum of 2 years for
failure to complete statutorily required continuing education.
Lexington,
KY:
Walter S. Robertson December 5, 2006
The auctioneer license was cancelled and is refused
renewal for two years for December 05, 2006.
Owings Mills,
MD:
David Fox October 5,
2006
The auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine assessed
for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Saint Louis,
MO:
Bruce Schneider September 14, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and assessed a
$300.00 fine for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Wenzville,
MO:
Bill Cockrum October
5, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00 fine assessed
for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
Lincoln,
NE:
Stephen A. Kriebel October 5, 2006
The auctioneer license was reprimanded and a
$300.00 fine assessed for failure to complete statutorily required
continuing education.
Shrewsburg,
PA:
Alan Loeser September
21, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and assessed a $300.00
fine for failure to complete statutorily required continuing education.
Flower Mound,
TX:
Wallace Berryhill November 6, 2006
The auction license was reprimanded and a $300.00
fine assessed for failure to complete statutorily required continuing
education.
2005
Chillicothe:
Roger Hamby March 1,
2005
Auction license was placed on probation for two years, and a
$5,000.00 fine was assessed, for filing the application for the license
with a misstatement of fact, for failing to register an assumed business
name, and for failing to notify the Division of a change in address.
Crete:
Richard Waysok May 2,
2005
The auction license of Richard Waysok was placed on probation for
1 year subject to multiple conditions, and a $3,000.00 fine was assessed.
The discipline was based upon allegations that Richard Waysok sold the
personalty of a client without permission and without an auction contract;
failed to account for personalty, failed to timely remit funds to a
client, engaged in unprofessional conduct, and engaged in the practice of
auctioneering under G & G Auction Gallery, an unlicensed entity, and
an entity for which the Division was not provided documentation showing it
was registered as a Assumed Business Name.
Downers
Grove:
Auction Shoppe, Inc. and
Rod Beltz December 2, 2005
Auction Shoppe, Inc, and its principal
operator, Rod Beltz were each assessed a civil fine in the amount of
$10,000.00 for engaging in the unlicensed practice of auctioneering.
East
Alton:
Harold Hotson March 1,
2005
Auction license was permanently revoked for not responding to
numerous requests by the Division to provide information regarding an
auction complaint and for failure to appear at the preliminary hearing.
Elgin:
John Prigge May 2,
2005
The auction license was placed on indefinite probation during which regular
written reports are to be tendered to BRE and a $4000 fine was assessed
for failing to account for personality, failing to timely remit funds
to several clients, for having engaged in unprofessional conduct &
unlicensed practice of auctioneering of his corporate entity and failing
to register in accordance with the Assumed Business Name Act.
Englewood:
Anthony Briscoe March
1, 2005
Auction license was indefinitely suspended for failing to
complete CE requirements for the 2003 renewal period.
Flora:
Jackie Wilkin June 24,
2005
The auctioneer license was indefinitely suspended for a minimum
period of one year for failing to account for a seller-client's
proceeds.
German
Valley:
James E. McDonald May
24, 2005
The auctioneer license was refused renewal for failure to
satisfy Illinois tax liabilities.
Hampshire:
Susan Robinson May 2,
2005
The auction license was reprimanded and a $2000 fine was assessed
for having engaged in unprofessional conduct and holding herself out under
the auspices of an entity that was not licensed.
Marseilles:
Michael O'Neal December 2, 2005
The auction license of Michael O'Neal was revoked for
making false promises to a client, for failing to account for a client's
property, and for failing to properly document the client relationship.
Plano:
DeBolt Auction Services,
Inc. May 2, 2005
The auction corporation license of DeBolt Auction
Services, Inc, was reprimanded and the corporation was further required to
enter into written contract with all clients in the future. The discipline
was based upon allegations that the corporation failed adequately inform
clients of the terms and conditions for the auctions.
Toledo:
Charles Eugene Blagg August 15, 2005
The auctioneer license was revoked for a minimum
period of three years for failing to produce information requested by the
Division.
Sugarland,
TX:
Hamid R. Mollaei May
9, 2005
The application for an auctioneer license was denied as a
result of: 1. Applicant had a professional license disciplined.
Specifically, Applicant's Auctioneer License, No. AUCTNR00009550, issued
by the Department of Licensing and Regulation of the State of Texas, was
disciplined by an Agreed Order entered into by Applicant and the
Department on September 25, 2003; and 2. Applicant submitted a signed
Auctioneer Reciprocity Application form to the Division, on or about May
7, 2004, and falsified his renewal form by stating he had not had a
professional license or permit disciplined in any way by any licensing
authority in any other state/jurisdiction.
2004
Chicago:
M. Klein Auctions: July 6, 2004
M. Klein Auctions was assessed a civil penalty in the
amount of $3,000 for engaging in the unlicensed practice of auctioneering.
Respondent is also required to submit the necessary documents to obtain an
auction entity license.
Sheldon Rosenfeld: September 20, 2004
The application for an auction license was granted
and placed on probation for a period of one year with conditions that the
auctioneer submit quarterly reports and that he be required to produce any
and all escrow records within 72 hours of a request from IDFPR.
Clifton:
Ernie L. Arnold: December 27, 2004
The auction license was indefinitely suspended
for failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing education for the
2003 renewal of his license.
Coello:
Charles Johnson: December 27, 2004
The auction license was indefinitely suspended for
failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing education for the 2003
renewal of his license.
Enfield:
Ervin E. Fry: December
20, 2004
The auction licensed was cancelled, surrendered and refused
renewal for failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing education
for the 2003 renewal of his license.
Galesburg:
Amy Hoyle Pecsi: December 20, 2004
The auction licensed was cancelled, surrendered and
refused renewal for failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing
education for the 2003 renewal of her license.
Greenville:
John Berry: September
20, 2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled, and refused
renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the required
continuing education.
Harrisburg:
James Jackson: September 20, 2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled, and
refused renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the
required continuing education.
Joliet:
John P. Martin: April
9, 2004
The auction license was indefinitely suspended for a minimum
period of one (1) year and respondent was prohibited from profiting from
the practice of auction in any manner and is not allowed to be owner,
principal, officer or agent of any Illinois Auction Firm as a result of
commingling the properties of clients, failing to accurately account for
property of others, engaging in dishonorable, unethical, and
unprofessional conduct, allowing employees to bid on sealed lots which the
employees themselves assembled and knew the true value of and failure to
return property within 30 days of receiving a written request to do so.
Respondent is also jointly and severally liable for the $10,000 civil fine
assessed against R.A.M. Quality Auctions.
R.A.M. Quality
Auctions: April 9, 2004
Respondent was assessed a civil fine in
the amount of $10,000 for engaging in the unlicensed practice of real
estate.
Marseilles:
Michael E. O'Neal: January 26, 2004
The auction license was reprimanded and a late renewal
fee of $525 was assessed for running an auction advertisement in the
newspaper while his auction license was expired.
Moline:
Richard Ellis: September 20, 2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled, and
refused renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the
required continuing education.
New
Lenox:
Raymond Petric: September 20, 2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled and
refused renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the
required continuing education.
Pittsfield:
Gary Barker: September
20, 2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled, and refused
renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the required
continuing education.
Rockford:
Donald M. Peterson: December 27, 2004
The auction license was indefinitely suspended for
failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing education for the 2003
renewal of his license.
Silvis:
Floyd Carlson: June 2,
2004
The auction license was revoked for a minimum period of one year
for failing to maintain accurate records to account for the sales of the
personal property items at an auction and for failing to timely account
for moneys in the approximate amount of $7,900 that belonged to the
sellers.
Sierra,
AZ:
Harle Clark Hansen: March 12, 2004
The application for a license to carry on the practice
of an auctioneer was denied for failure to rectify a dishonored check that
was tendered to OBRE.
Woodland Hill,
CA:
David S. Handelman: December 27, 2004
The auction license was indefinitely suspended
for failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing education for the
2003 renewal of his license.
North Baxter,
IA:
Robert D. McWhirter: December 20, 2004
The auction licensed was cancelled, surrendered and
refused renewal for failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing
education for the 2003 renewal of his license.
Sikeston, MO:
Jeff Donnell DeWitt: January 26, 2004
The auction license was reprimanded and a fine of
$2,000 was assessed for aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of an
auction firm.
Minneapolis,
MN:
Richard J. Sicheneder:
December 27, 2004
The auction license was indefinitely suspended for
failure to complete statutorily mandated continuing education for the 2003
renewal of his license.
Spring Valley,
MN:
Duane Grafe: September
20, 2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled, and refused
renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the required
continuing education.
Lincoln,
NE:
Robert
McLeod: September 20,
2004
The auction license was surrendered, canceled, and refused
renewal for a period of two years for failure to complete the required
continuing education.
2003
Evansville,
Wisconsin:
Dean K. George: July
10, 2003
The auction license was reprimanded and fined $250 for
advertising and attempting to conduct a real property auction without the
appropriate license. Respondent was also required to take and pass the
Illinois Auction License Exam.
2002
Brooklyn,
Wisconsin:
Paul Scott George: July 19, 2002
Order: The application for an Illinois
Auction license by Paul George was denied based upon evidence that the
Wisconsin Auction license possessed by Paul George was disciplined for
having been convicted of disorderly conduct and criminal
trespass.
2000
Olney:
Timmy Umfleet: November 21, 2000
Consent Order: Mr. Umfleet's application for an auction license was granted with the license to be issued subject to an
indefinite probation of no less than two years with multiple conditions, based upon evidence that Mr. Umfleet was charged with three felony counts involving theft and deception. |