HLS 10RS-2788 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2010 HOUSE BILL NO. 1439 BY REPRESENTATIVE BALDONE CRIME: Creates the crime of fraudulent auction practices AN ACT1 To enact R.S. 14:70.8, relative to misappropriation without violence; to create the crime of2 fraudulent auction practices; to provide for penalties; and to provide for related3 matters.4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5 Section 1. R.S. 14:70.8 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 6 ยง70.8. Fraudulent auction practices7 A. "Fraudulent auction" practices is the intentional inflation of bid amounts8 at an auction sale through any of the following:9 (1) The use of a person known as a "capper", "booster", or "shill", or any10 other person placing a false bid or offer to buy.11 (2) Making false claims that there is a higher bid or offer to buy.12 B.(1) Whoever commits the crime of fraudulent auction practices when13 property has a value of five hundred dollars or more shall be imprisoned, with or14 without hard labor, for not more than ten years, may be fined not more than three15 thousand dollars, or both.16 (2) When the property has a value of three hundred dollars or more, but less17 than a value of five hundred dollars, the offender shall be imprisoned, with or18 without hard labor, for not more than two years, may be fined not more than two19 thousand dollars, or both.20 HLS 10RS-2788 ORIGINAL HB NO. 1439 Page 2 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. (3) When the property has a value of three hundred dollars, the offender shall1 be imprisoned for not more than six months, may be fined not more than one2 thousand dollars, or both. If the offender in such cases has been convicted of theft3 two or more times previously, upon any subsequent conviction he shall be4 imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years, may be fined5 not more than two thousand dollars, or both.6 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Baldone HB No. 1439 Abstract: Creates the crime of fraudulent auction practices. Proposed law provides that "fraudulent auction" practices is the intentional inflation of bid amounts at an auction sale through any of the following: (1)The use of a person known as a "capper", "booster", or "shill", or any other person placing a false bid or offer to buy. (2) Making false claims that there is a higher bid or offer to buy. Proposed law provides penalty provisions which are identical to present law theft penalties. (Adds R.S. 14:70.8)