SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. LLC has filed suit in U.S. District Court in relation to a situation that occurred at the company's January 2007 Scottsdale event.

A consignor, apparently unhappy with the $300,000 sale price of his vehicle, placed chains and locks on the vehicle after it crossed the auction block and was sold, while it sat in the area where featured auction cars were displayed. He posted multiple notices on the vehicle claiming that the sale was void due to claimed “auction irregularities,” and published other false and defamatory statements about Barrett-Jackson in view of the company's customers and the thousands of patrons attending the event. Barrett-Jackson's internal legal and security teams, and the Scottsdale Police Department, responded to the incident and documented the damage.

An ongoing Internet smear campaign has stemmed from this seller dispute, with numerous defamatory rumors and statements published to Web sites and online chat rooms viewed by the company's core customer base. In particular, an untrue, derogatory and defamatory article referring to the above incident has made its way onto more than 20 automotive-related online blogs and discussion boards frequented by thousands of classic car enthusiasts around the world, according to the auction company.

Barrett-Jackson filed its lawsuit in order to protect its 36-year reputation and business interests by seeking to correct the information that has been published, and by filing suit against the responsible party on six separate counts, including defamation and breach of contract.