N.J. Storage Co. to Liquidate Whitney Houston's Possessions

Over 400 lots of crestfallen star's forfeited items to be auctioned next week

Whitney Houston essentially walked away from her claim to the contents of a New Jersey storage facility when she failed to pay $150,000 in fees to the warehouser, the Newark Star-Ledger is reporting this morning. The forfeited contents, scheduled to be auctioned next week, are what the paper is referring to as "pricey touring equipment and musical instruments, plus beaded catsuits, monogrammed velvet bodysuits, rhinestone belts, a leather whip, pantyhose and other unmentionables."

Nancy Seltzer, identified as a Houston spokeswoman, told the Star-Ledger that she has no knowledge of any outstanding storage fees. "She is selling equipment, as many artists do, that is out of date," as well as stagings and costumes that are "not needed anymore," Seltzer told the paper.

In recent years the singer has fallen on some hard times, including a well-chronicalled bout with addicition. In late 2006 she filed for divorce from singer Bobby Brown, her husband of 14 years.

Among the bling-bling on the block are evening gowns by Badgley Mischka, Marc Bouwer and Pamela Dennis, snap-crotch bustiers in assorted colors by Dolce & Gabbana, a Giorgio Armani black beaded blazer, and a Versace silk-screened print vest. Mixed in with the glam is a bit of grunt, too, including sound equipment, a multi-tier concert stage set, a 36-inch vertical band saw, an elevator and a forklift.

The auction by A.J. Willner is scheduled for Tuesday at the warehouse. Interest in the online catalog has been high, reports the paper: by yesterday afternoon, the web site ajwillnerauctions.com had recorded 38,000 hits over two days. The auction house says the site typically gets 60,000 hits a week.