Any auctioneer or person being present when any article of property is offered for sale, who knowingly, with intent to induce any person or persons to purchase the article or any part thereof, makes any false representation as to the quality of the article or articles offered for sale, or as to the poverty or circumstances of the owner or pretended owner of such article or articles, shall, on conviction thereof be fined as provided in § 10.99. If such false representation is made by the auctioneer, or by any other person with the auctioneer’s knowledge, consent, or connivance, the license of that auctioneer shall be forfeited.
(‘69 Code, § 15-37)