On April 3, 2012, Mayor Linda Thompson filed a suit against City Controller Dan Miller in regard to a contract with Guernsey's Auction House to sell Harrisburg's collection of artifacts. Miller says the contract must be verified by City Council.

The Mayor says City Council does not have to verify it because there was a public bid process. Thompson announced, "Council has nothing to do with this," and proceeded to stress the power issues ensuing between the Mayor's Office and the Controller's Office.

Most interesting, though, is a question to Thompson about the 18% commission Guernsey's will take from the sale of the artifacts. Couldn't this rate have been better negotiated? The Mayor replies, "Absolutely not." Buyers beware--for every $100,000 lot, buyers will pay an additional premium of 22%. If a lot goes over $100,000, the rate goes down to 15%. That's money right from the buyer to the Auction House and according to the Mayor, doesn't cost the City any proceeds.

Harrisburg is just committed to paying the commission fees. Also per Guernsey's contract, the City must produce documents that show the authenticity of the artifacts to be sold.--Tara Leo Auchey