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NEWS RELEASE l Ohio Department of Agriculture |
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Governor Bob Taft Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson Director Fred L. Dailey |
Communications Office8995 East Main Street • Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 Phone: 614-752-9817 • Fax 614-466-7754 ODA URL: www.ohioagriculture.gov • e-mail: agri@agri.ohio.gov |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Benefit Auctions Not Exempt From State Law
Events Must be Conducted by a State Licensed Auctioneer
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (March 10, 2005) – Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey is reminding charitable organizations and local celebrities that benefit auctions must be conducted by a licensed auctioneer to be in accordance with state law.
“We’re not trying to stop charitable organizations from helping those in need, we’re just trying to be diligent in upholding the law as it is written,” said Dailey. “The law does not provide an exemption for charity or benefit auctions and we cannot arbitrarily pick and choose our enforcement actions.”
Dailey added that local celebrities can lend assistance to charity auctions as long as the licensed auctioneer actually conducts the auction.
The department, through its Auctioneer Program, helps assure auctioneers are licensed and act in accordance with the law by investigating complaints, taking administrative action against those not in compliance, administering quarterly test sessions for individual auctioneers and monthly test sessions for apprentices, and reviewing applications and renewals. Ohio licenses more than 3,200 auctioneers.
For more information about the state’s Auctioneer Program or licensing requirements, visit the department’s Web site at: www.ohioagriculture.gov/auction or call 614.728.6240.
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Media Contact: LeeAnne Mizer, ODA Communications, 614.752.9817
