The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-04
MERCHANTS IND LAwrER ARRESTED
Important Evidence In Custom House suite
for Hair - Million Destroyed.


On the 9th Of December, 1875, the United
States. through District Attorney Bliss seized
$4,000 worth OF goods in the store Of A. Do
Grief 4 Co.. at 4s9 i9l. and 493 Droomo street.
who were charged with extensive frauds against
the customs revenue. Six days later the store
Of tho firm was seized. and was bonded In
si5oOO0. Soon nftcrward two suits were begun
against the importers to recover $780, 900 for
the alleged frauds. The cases were called for
trial in the United States District Court in
April. 1877. and were dismissed by consent Of
District Attorney Woodford and tho firms law
ycrs. New suits were instituted. and at the
July term following were called for trial. when
the District Attorney said that the Government
nniacd n" nr tb % Tho ~ W bs
suits. involving such large amounts, in this
way astonished those aqua nted with the na-
ture and magnitude Of tho chnrgcs. An eNpla-
milton for II was given Yesterday in the affidavit
Of Assistant District Attorney FierO and other
documents on which Anthony De Grief. Carl J.
Tracca. ono Of his partners, and Hugh J. Bw-
l'v.n lawyer connected with the late firm OF Web
ster Craig. were arrested. MIR. fiero charges
them md others not yet arrested with having
on or about the lOth " August, 1876. conspired
TO destroy certain letters II thc poss 'ssion of
the Government from one Muller Onc Landry,
and one Jnnliard, relating to tho importation of
merchnn1ise from France by De Grien Co.
legal actions against that firm. The charge is
based on tho testimony Of James Loo Bell n
former clerk of tn" ilrm, who gave the Govern
seizot and OF John W. Brilingham. who was n
confidential agent for the accused importers.
Brglcy was attorney for John Kanski n Custom
House expert who makes revenue undervnlua-
ton cases n speciality. and who appeared on the
official record ~ the informcr against DE Gren
Co. for Bell. the real iriormer. As such at
tornry. Begley wns special associate counsel for
the Government in the suits. and was entitled
The story ~ Birmingham is that Begey came
To him while the SUITS wcro pending IN court
and offered t. sell out to the accused importers
for $4,000. HIS proposi ition was thnt certain
officials in Washington should he bribcd g. sur
render the corrrspgnlrnce and alleged false
! invoices Of De Grirr co. in the possession of
the Government. ON which the civil suits would
have to be- prosecuted He said that the do'u-
nrniary evidence could be had for $2nOOO.
| Birmingham says tina, Begley was told to go
| Washington and perfected his arrangements
| for the surrender Of the documentary evidence
about the 18Th OF August. 1876. He required
$1,000 down. The money was paid after which
stroycd in the presence OF Britiingham
and mcmbers Of the firm. In July last
! Brlitingham instituted a suit against De(fricif
| and his partners. {. }. Triacca. George lnporle.
| Peter Schurman. and Herman schroeder. TO
| recover sji. .OJu He alleged that 100000 Of the
| settle tn" several suits against the firm. Dc
/ Grirn told him to - ON with his neSn Sntiaii Ons
| ham said that hr "Nponded $4,000 In the suits
| dismissed in Aprl, 1871. and the subsequent
AYERS wns n. tel through his agency. S,hur-
! man came hero expressly from Europe to look
! alter tho cases. Several i"iiers purporting 20
| be from Begley to Birmingham are IN the pos
/ session % the District Attorney.
Coi. Geo Bliss. eN-Distrir Attorney. says that
! De Gri"n & Co. w-re caught ia 1873 smuggling
silks. several cases of silks that had been lu-
! voiced o. them a. cheap cotton goods. were
s"iz Il hy Capt. brwke't in PniladelphiH, and
the firm paid the Government penalty oi
| sS4uO. one Roberts the son - a warehouse
man in PhilndeluHiL furnished ,hs first clue 70
! the smuEEl INK. SUI lI.tgur rhiy ltrli. clerk Tor
| d. Grirff 4 Co.. called IN the District Attorney