The Cincinnati Enquirer

The online auction of items seized from convicted swindler Bill Erpenbeck started Monday with robust bidding for Erpenbeck's Rolex watch and his wife's diamond necklace.

As of 5 p.m. on the www.bid4assets.com Web site, 23 bids had been received for the 18-karat Gold Submariner Rolex, and the high bid stood at $7,750.

The 14-karat gold necklace with seven diamonds drew seven bids, the last for $675.

The U.S. Marshal's Service is selling the items, seized in 2002 when the former home-building company president was under investigation for bank fraud.

Two other items up for auction attracted less interest. A pair of 18-karat gold earrings with diamonds had fetched three bids and a high bid of $425, below the undisclosed reserve price. No bids were received as of 5 p.m. for the woman's Adolfo natural ranch mink coat with a small tear on the back.

The Web page for Erpenbeck's 2001 BMW 325ci convertible had been clicked on 48,645 times as of 5 p.m. Monday. The reserve price is not disclosed, but the minimum bid is $13,000.

The last of the auctions will end Thursday at 3 p.m.