The U.S. Marshals Service on Friday cancelled an auction of items seized during the corruption case against former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL).
“After receiving legitimate concerns about the authenticity of the guitar purportedly signed by Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen and out of an abundance of caution, the Marshals Service will conduct a secondary review of all the assets,” the Marshals Service said in a press release. “Once the review is complete, a decision will be made whether to repost any assets for sale by auction.”
In an online auction that began Tuesday, through the website of Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers, the Marshals had put on sale 12 items seized in the case. Those items included four fur capes and coats, three Bruce Lee autographs, and five Michael Jackson autographs. It was not immediately clear on Friday whether the guitar mentioned in the press release on Friday was part of the same auction.
“The Marshals Service takes its responsibility to fulfill the asset forfeiture mission very seriously,” Kim Beal, acting assistant director for the Asset Forfeiture Division of the U.S. Marshals Service, said in a statement. “Because new information has come to light, we are taking additional steps to review all the items. It is our practice to be diligent about all matters relating to the management and sale of assets.”
This post has been updated.