Action 9 investigates estate sale hustle

ORLANDO, Fla. — Five months after Action 9 first exposed estate sale agent Silas Pierce, another customer claims Pierce betrayed his trust.

This time, the victim is a priest.

“You can't take somebody's stuff and sell it and pocket all the proceeds,” said the Rev. David Subu.

Subu claims Pierce and Estate Sale Stars sold his mother's possessions then refused to send the family's proceeds check for nearly $4,000.

Subu grew alarmed after finding the Action9 investigation online.

Action 9's Todd Ulrich confronted Pierce last year at an estate sale.

“At a bad time in their lives, they say you cashed in,” said Ulrich.

Pierce denied he had done anything wrong while escorting Ulrich out of the home.

“If only I had done that search beforehand and I had seen your show,” said Subu.

Last month, Pierce filed for bankruptcy protection and listed customers who claim he sold their belongings then kept the cash.

That includes Christopher Kroha who recently won a court judgement for $100,000.

Ulrich spoke with Kroha’s attorney, Christopher Nasseh.

“Mr. Pierce essentially took everything. My client didn’t see a penny from that sale," Nasseh said.

There are now at least a dozen consumers from four states and Britain who want Silas Pierce to pay.

Pierce filed Chapter 13, so he could have to pay some of the money back, but the court could give him several years to do it. He told the court, he's shut down the company and is nearly broke.

One creditor claimed Pierce was hiding assets in other companies, something Pierce denied.

“Bankruptcy is for people to get a fresh start, but we don't believe you can rob someone and get a fresh start. That’s not the point of bankruptcy,” said Nasseh.

Pierce didn't respond to Ulrich’s questions. Earlier he said customers can become emotional and confused during estate sales.

There’s another bankruptcy hearing next month.

WFTV