Leigh Keno Auctions: Alleged Auction Misconduct? (2024)

Originally Syndicated on May 14, 2024 @ 11:48 am

Regarding the claims of auction misbehavior and unpaid bills that resulted in litigation, Leslie & Leigh Keno Auctions is associated with the situation. So, let’s get into more detail about the story of Leigh Keno Auctions, which is presented in the following paragraphs: 

Leigh Keno Auctions: Antique experts have challenges at auctions

Since they were little children, they have been involved in the world of enterprise. They were raised in a family that had a strong inclination for antique products. Other commercial initiatives have been undertaken by them, in addition to the management of an art advisory organization, a furniture brand, and an auction house in Manhattan.

In recent times, they have been involved in legal disputes because they have been competing against each other in auctions, which has led to inflated prices for the objects that they have won. Following their failure to claim the things that they had acquired, auction houses in New Orleans and Philadelphia filed lawsuits against them for unpaid invoices totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars when they failed to claim the items.

They were defended by their legal adviser, who cited the temporary financial difficulties that are typical in the auction sector. They placed a strong emphasis on their mission to unearth unusual findings and the unique histories that lay beneath the artifacts that they were looking for.

The Kenos have made some payments and want to settle the outstanding obligations as quickly as possible, notwithstanding the lawsuits that have been filed against them. In their conversation, they highlighted their participation in a variety of enterprises as well as their intentions to sell a considerable collection that they referred to as a “National Treasure.”

Since they have never previously been confronted with such substantial unpaid bills, the outstanding debts present considerable challenges for the smaller auction businesses that are engaged. Despite this, the Kenos are well respected in their industry and are very enthusiastic about the job that they do.

They are also well-known for their roles on the television program “Antiques Roadshow,” where they enchanted viewers with their kind manner and great knowledge of the subject matter. The show’s producer continues to maintain a positive outlook about their continued involvement, with the expectation that any remaining problems will be addressed soon.

Leigh Keno Auctions: Charges of Auction Misconduct and Non-Payment 

It is well known that Leslie and Leigh Keno are experts in antique automobiles and Americana. Throughout the twenty seasons of the popular public television program “Antiques Roadshow,” they appeared as well-known appraisers. The twins, on the other hand, have been the subject of complaints and litigation because of how they conduct themselves at auctions. 

In the first suit, which was filed by New Orleans Auctions Galleries, it was alleged that the Keno brothers engaged in fraudulent activity at auctions by competing with one another to raise the prices of the items that were being auctioned off. When they were competing against one another for a Turkish Angora carpet, they used the phone bid of one brother and the internet bid of the other brother. On one occasion, they participated against one another almost fifty times.

Leslie was the one who finally purchased the carpet for $14,500, even though the reserve price for the carpet was set at $800. Other goods were also subjected to the same bidding method on two further occasions, which led to purchase prices that were far higher than the low estimates that were provided for those items. According to the brothers, they owe a total of $400,000 in debt for the 244 goods that they acquired at this auction.

In addition, Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit against the Keno twins, alleging that they have failed to pay $200,000 for 89 goods that they purchased via auction in May. 

The twins admitted that they had made a genuine error in their explanation of the uncertainty around the New Orleans auction. Because of the significant number of products that they had acquired, they acknowledged that they had made a mistake and sent an official apology to the auction company via email.

It was stated by their attorney, Brad Harrigan, that the delay in payment was due to a temporary liquidity problem, which he considered to be a frequent occurrence in the auction sector. In addition to confirming that the brothers had already paid off $70,000 of the sum that was owed to the New Orleans auction house, he said that they intended to pay off the remaining total as soon as possible. In addition, the legal issue that was associated with the Philadelphia auction was effectively handled.

The Keno brothers stressed their experience as authorities and investigators within the antiquities industry, although they were facing legal issues. They are still committed to unearthing the hidden gems and extraordinary tales that lie beneath each object that they deal with. Even though they are often invited to speak, they continue to run their furniture brand and participate in the television program “Antiques Roadshow.”

In a statement that they issued jointly to the press, the twins acknowledged their participation in a variety of projects and stated their hope that they would soon be able to resolve their financial commitments.

The advancement of these legal proceedings and the possible influence they may have on the reputation of the Keno brothers within the antiquities and auction sectors should be vigilantly monitored by those who are observing the situation.

Dispute Over Leigh Keno Auctions: Claims of Deception and Outstanding Debts

 

Antiques Roadshow presenters Leslie and Leigh Keno are well-known for their fashionable preferences and their enthusiasm for American artifacts. They are also recognized for their zeal for the program. Recent activities taken by the brothers, on the other hand, have caused alarm among members of the collecting community.

As a result of their participation in bidding wars at auctions, which caused prices to reach unreasonably high levels, and their refusal to meet payment commitments, they were accused of engaging in fraudulent activity at auctions.

Their historic reputation for honesty, which they have earned through years of partnership with prestigious auction houses, has come under question as they face litigation for alleged “auction misconduct” that resulted in inflated prices.

The Kenos’ previously impressive reputations have been damaged as a result of the court fights and unresolved debts, even though they have claimed that they were misunderstood and that they were excited about the auction day.

Even though they have resolved a litigation with another auction company, allegations of fraudulent bidding continue to be made against them. As a reaction, Leigh Keno Auctions asserted in a joint statement that they were prepared to pay premium rates for objects because of their skill in unearthing hidden riches and investigating unique histories. This was in response to the fact that they were considering paying higher costs for items.

Even if there have been steps made to minimize the problem, the measures that they have taken have raised worries about their reputation in the world of high-end collectibles, and there are still a lot of issues that have not been addressed.

Leigh Keno Auctions: A $100,000 Scam Affects Celebrity Auction House 

An antiques appraiser who is well-known for his appearances on “Antiques Roadshow” claims that a woman cheated his auction firm out of more than one hundred thousand dollars. So that he may get the money back, he is going to file a lawsuit.

As a result of the fact that she consistently made purchases ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 in worth and always paid the bill, Leigh Keno Auctions, who together with his twin brother Leslie has been a feature on the PBS television show for a considerable amount of time, said that the buyer looked to be authentic. According to his declaration, “The checks did not bounce.”

He then went shopping for a range of Asian furniture and decorations, including a bronze “libation” cup with a beast handle, a watercolor picture of a cat, and a display cabinet with carved dragons, according to Keno. The purchaser, whose name is Grace Lu but who seems to be Chihyu Lu, went shopping for these items.

On the premise that she would pay him at a later time, Keno allegedly permitted her to purchase a total of $178,450 worth of merchandise.

In the words of Keno, the proprietor of Keno Auctions, which is located on the Upper East Side, “He kicks himself for allowing it to happen.” It was the industry that he had spent his whole life working in. There is nothing that can be compared to this in the past.

According to a case that the auction company filed against Lu in the Manhattan state supreme court in 2021, Lu took around forty goods in July of 2020, paid forty-five thousand dollars, and then refused to pay the remaining amount of thirty-three hundred and four hundred and fifty dollars.

As stated in the records filed with the court, Lu claims that when she attempted to resell some of the items, she was advised that they appeared to be “later copies.” 

Keno claims that the artifacts were not promoted as being of a certain age or as antiques and that Lu had spent several weeks looking at them in his store before purchasing them.

Keno claims that Lu placed a bid at one of Keno’s auctions in January 2022, using a new identity and that he ended up acquiring more than half of the sale. After he realized that it was the same individual, he said that his personnel had instructed her to pay the entire amount that was due, but they had not received any response from her.

Keno said that the reason he was coming out was because Lu was allegedly conspiring with other auction companies to gain an advantage. 

Records that were reviewed by The Post indicate that she put bids on products that were being auctioned by many auction houses via the Live Auctioneers websites since the year 2020 and had a value of more than $230,000. However, she did not follow through with the acquisition of these items.

One of the individuals whom she is suspected of defrauding is David Killen, who runs an auction house in Chelsea that is similar to the one she had. He claims that Lu won the auction that took place a month ago for around $13,000 worth of Asian artifacts; however, he did not pay for them or pick them up; he did not pick them up. After that, he disclosed to The Post that Lu was the high bidder.

Having won goods at an auction, he continued, is considered to be a legally enforceable contract to acquire the item in question.

Killen believes that if they were to be placed up for sale once again, their value would decrease.

As a result of the fact that the person who acquired it never made a payment, “people assume there must be a problem with it,” he said. To use a phrase that is common in the business world, it has a “bad smell.”

As soon as Killen notified Lu that another bidder was willing to spend hundreds of dollars for the $900 “sword leg” table that she won, Killen said that he had finally succeeded in persuading Lu to pick up and pay for her belongings this week. According to him, she ran inside to get it and pay her bill within a short amount of time. Lu did not immediately answer when he was asked for a comment.

Killen believes that if they were to be placed up for sale once again, their value would decrease.

As a result of the fact that the person who acquired it never made a payment, “people assume there must be a problem with it,” he said. To use a phrase that is common in the business world, it has a “bad smell.”

As soon as Killen notified Lu that another bidder was willing to spend hundreds of dollars for the $900 “sword leg” table that she won, Killen said that he had finally succeeded in persuading Lu to pick up and pay for her belongings this week. According to him, she ran inside to get it and pay her bill within a short amount of time. Lu did not immediately answer when he was asked for a comment.

Keno Auctions: A Summary 

Keno Auctions was founded in 2009 by renowned antiquities dealer Leigh Keno and bills itself as a full-service auction house located in New York City.

Due to its emphasis on fine and decorative art along with antiques and collectibles, Keno Auctions shows that it has become a favorite among collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts searching for unique and valuable things.

Launched in 2009, Keno Auctions is the brainchild of globally renowned television personality and antique expert Leigh Keno, who has hosted his series “Buried Treasure” on FOX and appeared on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow”. 

The Keno Auction by Leslie & Leigh: A Concise Introduction

The Keno family tree started in Herkimer County, New York, when Ronald and Norma Keno, two antique dealers, had twin boys. The charming New York community of Mohawk was the birthplace of Leigh Keno Auctions and his younger brother, who were born as twins.

Leigh Keno Auctions, the elder twin, came into this world thirteen minutes before his brother, marking the beginning of their incredible adventure. Growing up in a household that collected antiques meant that the boys were constantly exposed to the rich history and aesthetic value of many artifacts. 

Conclusion

Renowned antiquities expert Leigh Keno Auctions’s firm, Leigh Keno Auctions, has been under criticism due to serious claims of auction misconduct and unmet responsibilities.

Claiming to have engaged in auction fraud, the Keno brothers allegedly inflated the prices of the things they acquired by bidding against each other. As a result of this, auction houses in Philadelphia and New Orleans sued one other in many cases to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in overdue payments.

The defense counsel representing the Kenos claimed that the bidding episodes were caused by a temporary liquidity problem, a common occurrence in the auction industry. Despite the legal issues and unpaid invoices, the Keno brothers have promised to pay all outstanding obligations and continue operating in the antiques and auction market.

The brothers’ reputation as experts in the collectibles field has taken a hit due to the events involving Leigh Keno Auctions. There is another accusation of fraud involving a purchaser who reportedly stole more than $100,000 from the auction company.

As of this writing, the lawsuit remains unresolved, and it is uncertain how the legal matters will be addressed or how they will impact the Keno twins’ careers as antiques specialists and presenters of the “Antiques Roadshow” television program.