Loveland auctioneers accused of scheming customers out of thousands
Prosecutor: 14 victims report being duped by auctioneer
Updated: 6:00 PM EDT Jun 11, 2015
Jenell Walton
The Butler County prosecutor said two auctioneers stole more than $100,000 from their customers.James Easton and Linda Easton are facing felony theft charges.The prosecutor said 14 victims trusted the Eastons to sell valuable family heirlooms at a Ross Township warehouse. However, the couple is accused of selling the items and keeping the money for themselves.Watch this story"When they were able to communicate with the Eastons, the victims were given multitudes of excuses and promises on when they would receive their share of the proceeds, which never happened," Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said.Gmoser said the couple almost got away with it.Gmoser said they promised to auction off victims' personal items on their website or at a live auction at a Ross Township warehouse.The couple is accused of targeting older victims in their scheme.Gmoser said he was sickened by accusations the couple took advantage of a woman suffering from cancer, especially since the couple used what looks like a cross in their company logo."She entrusted all of her worldly goods and possessions with the Eastons to help pay for her cancer treatment only to be to be ripped off and never seeing a dime," Gmoser said.The Ohio Department of Agriculture, which approves licenses for auctioneers, said it started getting complaints about the couple's company."The auction house had been cleaned out and they left in the night, so to speak," Gmoser said.The Eastons were both booked at the Butler County Jail after being arraigned on felony theft and tampering with evidence charges Tuesday.Gmoser said at first local police told victims the case was a civil matter."They were turned away by law enforcement because it's not the run of the mill thing that they are used to dealing with. My office is filling that void on those presumptively civil cases that are actually criminal cases," Gmoser explained.The Eastons each posted a $15,000 bond.The couple is due back in court June 18.
BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio —
The Butler County prosecutor said two auctioneers stole more than $100,000 from their customers.
James Easton and Linda Easton are facing felony theft charges.
Former auctioneers face 23 years in prison if restitution isn't paid
Prosecutor: More victims of Loveland auctioneers found
The prosecutor said 14 victims trusted the Eastons to sell valuable family heirlooms at a Ross Township warehouse. However, the couple is accused of selling the items and keeping the money for themselves.
"When they were able to communicate with the Eastons, the victims were given multitudes of excuses and promises on when they would receive their share of the proceeds, which never happened," Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said.
Gmoser said the couple almost got away with it.
Gmoser said they promised to auction off victims' personal items on their website or at a live auction at a Ross Township warehouse.
The couple is accused of targeting older victims in their scheme.
Gmoser said he was sickened by accusations the couple took advantage of a woman suffering from cancer, especially since the couple used what looks like a cross in their company logo.
"She entrusted all of her worldly goods and possessions with the Eastons to help pay for her cancer treatment only to be to be ripped off and never seeing a dime," Gmoser said.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture, which approves licenses for auctioneers, said it started getting complaints about the couple's company.
"The auction house had been cleaned out and they left in the night, so to speak," Gmoser said.
The Eastons were both booked at the Butler County Jail after being arraigned on felony theft and tampering with evidence charges Tuesday.
Gmoser said at first local police told victims the case was a civil matter.
"They were turned away by law enforcement because it's not the run of the mill thing that they are used to dealing with. My office is filling that void on those presumptively civil cases that are actually criminal cases," Gmoser explained.
The Eastons each posted a $15,000 bond.
The couple is due back in court June 18.