Ohio Code § 4707.31

§ 4707.31.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the director

of agriculture may, within the director's discretion, make a payment out of the auction

recovery fund to a person without first requiring the person to obtain a prior order

issued by the director or by a court of competent jurisdiction if all of the following

apply: (A) The person claims to have sustained total actual and direct losses in the amount

of one thousand dollars or less. (B) The losses are associated with an act or transaction that only a person licensed

under this chapter lawfully may perform. (C) The licensee allegedly has engaged in actions that are described in section 4707.15 of the Revised Code or that otherwise violate this chapter or rules adopted under it. (D) The amount of the alleged loss is readily ascertainable rather than speculative in

nature. (E) The claimant filed a properly notarized complaint with supporting documentation to

the department not later than one year following the date of the alleged wrongful

actions of the licensee. (F) The department, within its discretion, determines that, based upon the evidence presented,

justice would be better served by allowing compensation to be paid without first requiring

the aggrieved party to obtain a judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction or

an order of the department.