Billy Long Auctions Appears Closed: What About Congressman Long's 1/3 Share in Murney Associates?

The status of Billy Long Auctions and Murney Associates has been a hot topic lately--so hot the investigation of the status of Congressman Long's fiduciary business appeared on Breitbart's Big Government. There appears to be some hint of Long parting with Billy Long Auctions, but there is still conflicting evidence.

The controversy began more than a year ago when candidate Long went on Joplin radio talking about the sacrifice he was having to make to go to Congress. Long told Josh Marsh he was being forced to sell his businesses; although Long could put them in a blind trust.




Of course, in typical journalist fashion, Marsh has given Long a pass on this and refused to bring it up even when Breitbart brought it up. After Long was elected, it was well documented that Long continued to complain about selling these businesses, despite his promise to voters. Well there is an update as of today. Billy Long Auctions office off the corner of Glenstone and Seminole in Springfield has been closed.

The former offices of Billy Long Auctions

However, while the Springfield News-Leader reported Billy Long told them he dissolved the auction company, it doesn't appear to be that simple despite the offices being closed. Was the auction company dissolved or was it placed in a blind trust for Bob Kollmeier to run. One would expect if Billy Long Auctions was totally dissolved the Secretary of State's Web site would show some kind of evidence of that. It does not.

Further, the Billy Long Auctions phone number, (417) 882-LONG and the Billy Long Web site, weren't dissolved. They transfer to Long's auction partner Bob Kollmeir. A search of the Missouri Secretary of State's business database shows nothing listed for Bob Kollmeir. It does still show that Billy Long Auctions is still an active business. Is the illusion of sacrifice on Congressman Long's part still alive?

It's been many months now since the Billy Long Auctions phone number and Web site has redirected to Bob Kollmeir. Why isn't the Secretary of State's listing reflecting this? Besides dissolving a business is far different than transferring ownership, which is what the phone number and Web site suggests.

Another question that still remains is what about the bigger prize--Long's 1/3 share of Murney Associates. Long also promised voters he was going to sell his 1/3 share. What is the status of this ownership? Why didn't Billy Long mention it to the News-Leader, or better yet, why didn't the News-Leader confront Long about the other half of the promise?