(A) In addition to the grounds of misconduct provided for in Section 40-1-110, the commission may take action, pursuant to Section 40-6-210, against a licensee or a person who has unlawfully assumed to act in the capacity as an auctioneer if the person or licensee is found by the commission to have:
(1) violated this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter; or
(2) engaged in a continued and flagrant course of misrepresentation or made false promises or authorized an agent of the licensee to make misrepresentations or false promises;
(3) failed to account for or to pay over within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty days, money belonging to another which has come into the licensee's possession through an auction sale;
(4) used misleading or untruthful advertising;
(5) engaged in conduct in connection with a sales transaction, which demonstrates bad faith or dishonesty;
(6) knowingly used false bidders, cappers, or pullers or knowingly made a material false statement or representation;
(7) been convicted of a felony or an act involving fraud or moral turpitude. Forfeiture of a bond or a plea of nolo contendere is the equivalent of a conviction;
(8) wilfully failed to properly and fully complete an application or made a false statement or gave false information in connection with an application for a license or renewal or reinstatement of a license or an investigation by the commission or the commission's designated agent;
(9) failed to maintain or to deposit in a trust or escrow account in an insured bank or savings and loan association within three business days funds received for another person through sale at auction, unless otherwise required by law;
(10) failed to pay a fine assessed or ordered by the commission under Section 40-6-210;
(11) wilfully failed to properly make a disclosure or to provide documents or information required by this chapter or the commission;
(12) demonstrated lack of financial responsibility;
(13) knowingly performed an act, which substantially assists a person to conduct an auction illegally;
(14) practiced during the time his license has lapsed or been suspended or revoked.
(B) In addition to other remedies and actions incorporated in this chapter, the license of a licensee adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction must be suspended automatically by the commission until the licensee is adjudged competent by a court of competent jurisdiction.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 318, Section 1.
Editor's Note
Prior Laws:1977 Act No. 111, Section 16; 1987 Act No. 33 Section 1; 1990 Act No. 511, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 155, Section 13; 1976 Code Section 40-6-160.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 40 - Professions and Occupations
Section 40-6-05. Application of Chapter 1; conflicts.
Section 40-6-10. Auctioneers' Commission created; membership and qualifications; compensation.
Section 40-6-50. Administrative support; authority vested in commission; license fees.
Section 40-6-60. Adoption of rules and regulations.
Section 40-6-70. Initiation of investigation of fitness.
Section 40-6-115. Jurisdiction of commission.
Section 40-6-130. Grounds for disciplinary action as basis for denial of licensure.
Section 40-6-140. Prior criminal record as grounds for denial of licensure.
Section 40-6-150. Surrender of license.
Section 40-6-180. Payment of costs and fines.
Section 40-6-190. Confidentiality; privileged communications.
Section 40-6-210. Petition for injunctive relief.
Section 40-6-235. Requirements for license as auction firm.
Section 40-6-240. Term of licenses; renewal; proof of continuing education; lapsed license.
Section 40-6-250. License required.
Section 40-6-260. List of licensees.
Section 40-6-270. Licensing of auctioneers licensed in another state.
Section 40-6-280. "Absolute" auctions.
Section 40-6-310. Estate auction requirements.
Section 40-6-320. Licensing by municipalities prohibited.
Section 40-6-330. Auctioneer Recovery Fund; maintenance and contributions; use of excess funds.
Section 40-6-340. Claims against fund; notification of licensee; investigation.
Section 40-6-360. Limitations on payments from fund.