Commission extends suspension of Kruse’s license

The Indiana Auctioneer Commission has extended the suspension of Dean Kruse’s auctioneer license by two years, the Star in Auburn reported.

The newspaper reported that in a hearing Oct. 19, the commission voted 5-0 that Kruse may not apply to have his license reinstated before June 2014. He originally was suspended through at least June 2012.

The commission ruled that Kruse violated the terms of his original suspension, issued May 25, 2010. Members said they were unsatisfied with quarterly reports he filed on his progress in repaying people who consigned cars to his auctions, the Star reported.

“The reports were not as detailed as the Commission had expected and, although prepared by an accountant, they were not prepared by a certified public accountant,” the commission said in its formal order. It went on to say, “The reports were timely for the most part, although one was late due to medical problems that Kruse was experiencing. His latest report was also late.”

According to the newspaper account, Kruse said he sent his reports to an attorney general’s deputy in charge of his case, who did not forward them to the Auctioneer Commission. “I don’t know if I’m going to appeal it or not,” Kruse told the newspaper Oct. 20 about the additional penalty.

In 2010, the commission suspended Kruse due to complaints alleging that he failed to pay 70 people who consigned and sold collector vehicles at his auctions in 2008 and 2009. After the suspension, Kruse sold his auction park south of Auburn and ceased operations.

Kruse now has a longer time to pay the consignors. The commission originally ordered him to pay them by 18 months after his license suspension ends, which now gives him until December 2015.

See our related story:Embattled auctioneer Dean Kruse says he’s still fighting to pay off his debts and reclaim his battered reputation

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