It didn’t take long for many Americans to try to cash in on the space shuttle Columbia disaster, with numerous postings of shuttle memorabilia on eBay – with some claiming to be actual debris.
 Columbia radio offered on eBay |
The online auctioneer yanked a handful of listings purporting to be remnants of the orbiter which disintegrated yesterday morning during its descent into the atmosphere.
EBay’s Kevin Pursglove says executives are considering reporting the sellers to federal authorities who are looking to gather Columbia’s pieces for their investigation.
It’s a federal offense to take pieces of an aircraft involved in an accident, with penalties up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
“Over the years we have learned to keep an eye out for individuals who might want to list items once a tragic event has occurred, the best example being pieces of the World Trade Center and Pentagon,” Pursglove told the Associated Press, referring to the targets of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Meanwhile, a large number of legitimate items connected to Columbia or the space program are being offered up to bidders, including photographs, stamps, coins, toys, and jewelry.
“Space Shuttle Columbia radio works great and comes in original box!” wrote one seller, who started the bidding at $1, and saw the price rise to $70 by 11:30 p.m. Eastern time.
A Columbia brass urn, salt-and-pepper shakers and even a Christmas tree ornament were among other specialty items offered.
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