Auction Broadcasting Company, LLC and ABC Tidewater, a Suffolk, Va.-based licensee of Auction Broadcasting Company, have terminated their licensing agreement in the wake of charges against Michael D. Hockett, Jr., the owner of ABC Tidewater.

Hockett has been charged with allegedly attempting to improperly influence the vote of a Suffolk City Councilman in a rezoning case pending before the Suffolk City Council.

According to a company statement, the principals of Auction Broadcasting Company learned of the charges on April 18. "The owners of Auction Broadcasting Company are understandably concerned about the pending allegations," the April 24 company statement said.

"The alleged behavior would, if true, be radically out of character for Tidewater's owner," said Trent Knox, chief operating officer for Auction Broadcasting Company.

ABC Tidewater, formerly known as Tidewater Auto Auction, acquired a license to operate as "ABC Tidewater" in August of 2000. As a licensee, ABC Tidewater is neither owned nor operated by the principals of Auction Broadcasting Company.

"Due the the embarrassing nature of the accusations, the owner of ABC Tidewater has requested that the license agreement with Auction Broadcasting Company be terminated," the company statement said. "The Auction Broadcasting Company has regretfully accepted ABC Tidewater's requested termination."

Effective immediately, ABC Tidewater returns to operating under its prior name, Tidewater Auto Auction, according to the company statement.

"The Auction Broadcasting Comnpany would like to express its continued support for the ownership and the outstanding staff of the Tidewater Auto Auction, all of whom have worked so diligently to bring the highest level of service to their customers," the April 24 company statement concluded.