The morning call., 1893-07-12
is 1T A FRAUD =?
An Officer Accused of
Money=Juggling.
Paymaster Sullivan to Be Tried for a
Curious but He Claims an
Innocent Mistake.

The court-martial which will assemb bic
at Mare Island on July &c for the trial OF
Paymaster j. c. Sullivan presents features
OF exceptional interest. It will be remem-
bered thatthe officer was first brought un-
der the public notice when he delivered
himself, while attached to the Mohican. of
certain statements anent the Boring Sea
difficulty. He spoke adversely to the claims
put forward by this country, and for this
he was brought to task.
He was furloughed by the Secretary of
4 the Navy. but powerful friends in the East
made such representations to the Secretary
that Lieutenant Sullivan was ordered to
the receiving-sh Independence at Mare
Island. 1t was thought the trouble had
passed, but not long alter joining his ship
orders were received from Washington
suspendng him from duty. but forbidding
him 10 leave the Independence. Pract-
cally he was and is prisoner.
1t appears that very shortly after his
furlough was broken by the Secretary of
the Navy, discrepancies were discovered
in the accounts of the MohicaD. There
was a heavy shortage in the cash account.
which Lieutenant Sullivan, upon being in
terrogated upon the point, stated was on
deposit with the Sub Treasury at New
York Investigation revealed the fact that
while a considerable sum Of money was
on deposit AT the New YORK Sub-Ireasury
there was about $4,000 less than there ought
TO be.
This mportant shortage was accounted
for by Lieutenant Sullivan explaining that
the 5000 that he understood was to be paid
To his account at New York had instead,
and contrary TO all expectation on his part,
been paid to his account at San Francisco
Sure enough when the matter was looked
into here the lost sum Of money was found
and the paymaster's accounts were made
ali straight.
There was a mystery about this cash
transaction that the naval authorities at
Washington determined to solve. As re-
suit OF the investigation made Paymastpr
Sullivan is under arrest and will be tried
for embodiment of funds, and as neces-
sary adjunct of the alleged crime, of rem
dering false and fraudulent returns and
making false report.
A pay officer is compelled to make q re-
port each week, and it is alleged that Lieu
tenant Sullivan, when he reported regard
Ing the deposit at New York, knew there
was a shortage in his accounts, but he
knew also that in the interim he cOnld re-
place the money he had appropriated, and
by claiming it had been paid to him at
San Francisco explain away what would
be accepted as a mistake. Possibly had
ne not been involved in previous trouble
the detail for the court-martial woEld
never nave been appointed.
Ii Is GAINED IN the East that more pres-
sure has been brought to bear on the Navy
Department with a view to prevent
eout-martial than in any other case for
years past. Sullivan's father-in-law is a
1ammany chief Of importance and wealth,
ana the machinery Of Tammany was put
Sullivan claims that there ara mon in
the office Of the Judge-Advocate who
desire MS downfall. and that on mis- trial
he VIII prove beyond doubt that the $4,000
transaction was bona fide in every par,
ticular.