Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-26
MORE FRAUDS ON THE GOVERN.
MEkT.
An Important Arrest.

On Tuesday eveptrc last, Victor G. Powell
who was appointed about eight years ago a clerk
of-the Second Auditors Office, was arrested by
deputy marshal Phillips, on a warrant issued by
l. 5. commissioner j. j. johnson, charging him
with being concerned in rauds on the govern
ment 10 the amount o. $4,000, and he has been
committed TO jail for a hearing. Application
was made TO Judge Humphreys 10 set the
amount of bail, and he named the sum of 40 600
which the accused has been unable, up TO this
time, TO furnish. The case has not vet been
fully prepared, and there are number of m
mors in relation u IL, some of them 10 the effect
that the frauds amount ID hundreds of thousand
OF dollars liz is believed that the alleged fraud Is
in connection with bounty claims of soldiers
Office.
The accused was appointed from Ohio on oc-
tDber list, lS63, trSt-class clerk, and was pro-
NOTED July 18th, 1SG6. He is q or 2S wears of
age, and has been residing on Indiana avenue,
near Sd street The arrest seems TO have bsen
unexpected in the Second Auditors Office. ana
not a few Of the friends of the accused are Ger
tain that he viii establish his innocence, or at
least show that, If concerned in any fraud, he
A few weeks ago the Department of Justice
called for all the papers on file in the Second
AUDITORS Office in reference to certain claims for
Congress.
As Powell was formerly engaged in the See.
ond Auditors Office on these particular claims
end as IL has been reported that fraudulent
claimants have been paid, il is believed that the
alleged FRAUDS were in connection with these
CPses.
1t is reported further that an ex-Coneressman
Is concerned In the frauds, and that he also will
be arrested
The Second Audit Or was entirely ignorant of
the fact of Powell's arrest yesterday afternoon,
and exhibited great surprise when informed of
the che-ges against the prisoner. ON being
askc l as TO the character of Powell, he replied
mat ne knew nothing whatever affecting his
moral integrity. The Auditor did at one time
suspect him of being addicted to drink, but he
afterwards learned that he was mistaken. He
cd know, however, that he (POwelD chad a
weakness for good cigers;" but that could hardly
be regarded es defect in his character.
On being Informed that the name of the men,
Der OF Congress already referred TO had been
mentioned In connection with these frauds, the
Auditor suddenly arose from his chair exclaim-
ing, with considerable earncstness " All, hal
understand 1t now; the whole thing is plain 10
me 10
Well" remarked the representative of THE
STAR, =" what can you tell me of the Hon Mr.
IS connection with these frauds ?"
The Auditor replied with significant glance
laying the index finger OF his right hand sthwart
his nose, Nothing, sir; nothing. NV lips are
sealed. The Department of Justice, during NV
absence, called for certain papers, and is engaged
IN investigating the whole matter. L know moth
ing of it whatever"
:" But you do know, Mr.. French, that ex-
Congressman is suspected?"
L said before, i can give YOU no informa-
ION In this matter. 1t hPs pa sed entirely out
OF my hands, and know nothing officially or
otherw'se about it. / am only sorry that Vic
toSen Is mixed up In the case, for 1 always
The Department Of Justice, il is said, has the
rames OF other psrtes implicated in these
-faucs, and will order their speedy arrest.