Regardless of who's going to take a fall here, BJ may not be all innocent even if they have written provisions in their auction agreements to escape legal problems?.
If failing to do their utmost to protect both buyers and sellers of cars that may have a shady history has been their choice, poor attendance and sales at future BJ auctions could result in a worse penalty...a financial one?.
Any auction house who has true concerns for their buyers and sellers should post Vins of upcoming cars w/ ample time ahead of the auction date to allow the collector car community to gather any relevant facts together and present them before the car crosses the block..
If any auction house chooses not to do this and/or heed any serious concerns raised before sale, that's their choice and they may have to live w/ the long term resulting financial losses if the facts come out after the sale?.
Obviously no one should condemn Jerry M. without his report being displayed..
He's not a stupid man and his concerns for this specific car also disclaimer for circumstances such as this on any car he inspects is most likey included in his report?.
If this case is as clear cut as Les Q. above seems to feel, it could be the beginning of many more to come?.
With plenty of similar situations sitting in garages all over the world there's no doubt lots of people sitting on the edge of their seats watching what unfolds here?.
Best of luck to any true innocents that get caught up in the crossfire!.
~ Pete