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Tom Petty items withdrawn from auction after his family alleges they were stolen

Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times on

Published in Entertainment News

A Boston-based auction house is no longer taking bids for clothing and other items that once belonged to Tom Petty amid allegations from the late rocker’s family that the items were stolen.

Petty’s family has threatened legal action against RR Auction and demanded the return of the items, which they said have “irreplaceable sentimental and educational value for the family and legacy of Tom Petty.”

“As a precaution and in respectful deference to the family, RR Auction is withdrawing all of the lots and securing them until this matter is properly resolved,” the auction house’s attorney, Mark Zaid, wrote Thursday in a statement to the L.A. Times.

Even so, Zaid told the L.A. Times that the rock icon’s family has yet to provide any evidence of theft or proof that the property rightfully belongs to the “Free Fallin‘” singer‘s estate.

As the dispute continues, is there any merit to the Petty family’s claim?

What are the accusations?

 

Petty’s family claimed that property listed in the auction — which includes jackets, hats, vests, boots, shirts, shoes and autographed items — had been “kept in the Petty family’s secure storage,” according to a statement released Wednesday. Petty died in October 2017 at age 66.

To back the claims, the estate said it has “prior knowledge, staff observations and documentation.” Representatives for the family did not immediately respond to the L.A. Times’ requests for specific evidence. It was unclear whether the family reported the alleged theft to authorities.

Petty’s family had encouraged fans not to participate in the auction. They alleged the auction house was “in complete denial” of the accusations and had declined requests to disclose certain details of how they acquired the items.

“They will not disclose the consignor who has provided these items or how they were acquired,” Petty’s family said. “But they are clearly stolen, there is no other word for it.”

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