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For Immediate Release
July 29, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Crane, Asset Forfeiture Division; (202) 246-8114;
Deputy Marshal Hector Gomez (512) 461-7326;
Bob Sheehan, Gaston & Sheehan Auctions (512) 251-2780;
David Turner, U.S. Marshals - Public Affairs (202) 307-9065

Press Preview of Forfeited Jewels, Diamonds, Watches to be Auctioned by U.S. Marshals

Austin, TX – Like the Franck Mueller 10-carat men’s diamond watch valued at $30K, all of the items to be previewed for the media by the U.S. Marshals at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning are eye-popping. The assets will be sold at public auction in Austin on Saturday – and many could go for bargain prices. But, like a 4.5 carat diamond and platinum ring (worth over $22,000), the histories behind these assets are often quite colorful.

All these items are the ill-gotten gains of felons and corporate bad guys. They have been maintained and are being sold by the U.S. Marshals’ Asset Forfeiture Division. And some, such as a massive, 25-inch long gold necklace with a diamond encrusted pendant spelling out “PAID IN FULL,â€