Auctioneer Kruse investigated for fraud

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - NewsChannel 15 has uncovered, the U.S. Secret Service is investigating Kruse International owner Dean Kruse for fraud.

Sevierville, Tennessee Detectives tell us, Kruse bought several vehicles at a recent auction in town. Since then, the department has received at least six complaints against him for allegedly not paying up. One complainant is the City of Sevierville, alleging the check Kruse paid to rent space at the auction venue, bounced.

Kruse told NewsChannel 15 that complaint is legitimate, but he doesn't know anything about the others. "I thought everybody in Sevierville was taken care of. And I don't know anything about it, but I intend to try to find out," said Kruse.

In August, NewsChannel 15 reported Kruse was behind on at least 66 payments. While he has 30 days to pay his sellers, Kruse admits, he has been late on some payments. He says it's because either buyers weren't paying him or he ran into transaction or title problems.

"On the surface it looks simple. The actual operation of is a tough business to keep track of everything," explained Kruse. "And when you do 11,000 of them a year, you always have maybe 30, 40 that's in a state of flux where you have to do something to get the deal closed out."

Sevierville Detectives add the investigation spans to Arizona as well. Kruse plans on calling the department to sort out the matter.