Sept. 11 statue in Md. fails to sell on eBay

[May 24, 2010]  EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) -- A 40-foot bronze statue in Maryland dedicated to the heroes of the Sept. 11 attacks has failed to sell on eBay.

A court-appointed receiver tried to sell the sculpture of New York City firefighters to recoup money for victims of an alleged Ponzi scheme. But the 10-day auction ended Saturday with no bids.

The buyer's name would have been inscribed on a bronze plaque, but the statue would have stayed in Maryland.

The auction sought at least $500,000.

Federal authorities have said the sculpture was financed through investor fraud.

The statue was commissioned by Coadum Advisors Inc. and donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg. The court took control of the statue after Coadum was accused of bilking investors.

[Associated Press]

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