Florida marina auction leads to allegations of bankruptcy fraud

According to this article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the conduct of a last minute bidder who appeared at the bankruptcy auction of Fort Lauderdale's New River Marina, has been referred to the U.S. Trustee's Office in Miami for criminal investigation.  The day after the auction, which ended without a sale, the marina's primary secured creditor alleged in a bankruptcy court filing that the bidder was "not a bona fide bidder and was not properly qualified" to bid at the auction.  Allegations of fraudulent bid rigging in bankruptcy auctions rarely result in criminal prosecutions, though we will continue to report on this case as developments warrant.  Neither the U.S. Trustee's Office nor the Justice Department would confirm or deny any pending investigation.