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NEWARK - An art and jewelry
auctioneer who had planned to conduct business
in Tenafly, West Orange, and Summit this
past weekend was stopped from doing so and
was cited in one town for allegedly violating
state laws governing auctions.
Gavin Abadi, the owner of
Balfour Park, Inc./USA Artsource, was cited
by the Tenafly Police Department on Sunday
for not having books and records available
for inspection, as required by state law.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based company, which
is believed to have operated under at least
a dozen other names, has been cited in other
states, and in some cases had its auctioneer's
license revoked, for violations it committed
in those jurisdictions.
The company stages its auctions
in hotels, and auction locations change
weekly. Notice of the auctions generally
is provided through mailings to local residents.
“The prospect of buying
something at an auction, as an investment
or for personal enjoyment, can be tempting.
We want to make sure our laws governing
auctions are followed and that records exist
to verify any claims that are made about
the item up for auction,” Attorney
General Paula T. Dow said.
State law requires auctioneers
to:
- maintain books and records;
- make books and records
available for inspection by the mayor
of the municipality, the head of the police
department, and/or the prosecutor; and
- obtain a license from
the municipality when selling jewelry
or silverware.
The State Division of Consumer
Affairs alerted the three police departments
to information it had received, which alleged
issues with the authenticity of some items
up for auction. The items included fine
art, jewelry, rugs and bronze statues.
The auction scheduled for Saturday in West
Orange did not take place for failure to
have a permit. The auction scheduled on
Monday in Summit was cancelled by the company
because it did not secure a permit from
the town.
“Auctions run by transient
outfits are often hotbeds for frauds and
scams,” said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting
Director of the State Division of Consumer
Affairs. “This action demonstrates
how quickly the Division, in partnership
with local law enforcement, can act when
these out-of-state enterprises refuse to
comply with our laws.”
Calcagni urged consumers
to research fully the history of any auction
company before purchasing any of its wares,
and to contact the Division of Consumer
Affairs if they believe that they have been
taken advantage of.
Balfour Park, Inc./USA Artsource
lists Abraham Avi Asher as its Chief Financial
Officer. He is believed to be Gavin Abadi's
cousin.
Balfour Park, Inc./USA Artsource
is believed to have used the following business
names in the past:
- Lyndhurst Auctioneers
- DA Auctioneers
- D & G Auctioneers
- DRJ Auction Services
- State Liquidation Services
- Under the Hammer
- Gavins Estate Liquidations
- Gavin Adadi
- East Coast Financial
- Eastgate Trading
- S.A. Autions
- Gavins Auctions
- Southern Star Auction
Investigators Raquel Williams
and Ediz Laypan in the Division's Office
of Consumer Protection assisted the local
police departments in this matter.
Consumers who wish to file
a complaint, or who believe they have been
cheated or scammed by a business, can file
a complaint with the State Division of Consumer
Affairs by visiting its website, www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov
, or by calling 1-800-242-5846
(toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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