This N.Y. Times article about the government auction of 605 diamonds seized in a drug-related sting operation has some interesting facts on auctioneer Rick Levin’s recent business. “In the last few years alone, he has sold for the government smuggled horses in Arizona, stolen cab medallions in Boston, 54,000 pounds of smoked Chinese scallops, a shipping container of blue jeans, illegally marketed Freon and a million packs of untaxed cigarettes.” But most relevant to these economic times, Levin also holds a contract with the FDIC to sell the furniture, fixtures, and equipment from failed banks. I guess when the FDIC takes over, they salvage whatever assets they can.