Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-11-20
GETS LONG SENTENCE.
Ex-Turk ish Consul Goes to Prison
for Embe eZZlement,

lSIl SouSul OOts W FlSOu
for Embezzlement.
BOSTON. Mass, Nov. 1s-Joseph A.
Iasigi, the ex-Turkish consul OF this port,
and who was found guilty OF the embezzle-
ment OF 900 In trust funds, has been
sentenced to state prison for term OF not
less than fourteen nor more than eighteen
years. He is As years old His total embez-
elements have amounted to about $275,OOO,
1t ls said. Numerous exceptions were found
ut his recent trial but on consultation with
his counsel none were argued and he decided
to take his sentence without fight. Other
indictments were waiting for him II the first
had fallen through, and his case was
hopeless one. The judge, in passing SEN
tence, said he could not find single palliat-
ing incident. Iasigi was 1t is said trustee
for two old ladies' in France. who, until his
downfall supposed themselves worth $50,
900. but find themselves penniless. 1t was
an Indictment for this latter offence which
has not been pushed. The crime for which
Iasigi is called upon to suffer imprisonment
is pretty well known to the general public.
His victims were Pierre Charles Derieux
and Charles Armand Antoine Berger lie 10
Villinrdiere, Frenchmen, for the support
Of whom large trust funds were pnced in the
care and custody Of the father of the pris-
oner. These funds. although but nominal
when placed with the elder lasigi by dis
erect investment assumed large proportions.
in tho aggregate to over $500 OOO Upon the
elder Iasigis death Oscar another son. sue
ceedcd Ms executor of the funds and as
sumsd charge OF the estate In general OF the
deceased. :: The high social standing OF the
+; Iasigi family has been recognized In the
community for the past 40 years, and the
son Joseph was looked upon ns man
Of the highest integrity and honor. BY
marriage he was identified with the
families occupying the highest position in
Boston's best society. The son Oscar was
lost on the, City OF Columbus some ~ years
ago, whereupon his brother Joseph, the man
who was sentenced yesterday succeeded as
executor sof the funds and estate. The
funds consisted In good part OF railroad
bonds and securities, and Joseph lasigi
wns supposed to have guarded the trust
wisely and honestly until some two years
since, when the ;Frenchmen began to ask
for an accounting Of their property. About
year. ago they, became importunate
in. their demands in this respect,
and upon .. 1asigi. showing disposi-
tion. to hold them OF, they gave a
power OF attorney to Francis Peabody
Jr., to look alter their interests and take
such action MS be might deem proper in the
premises. The results OF Gen. Peabody's
efforts we're the bringing of civil actions
which finally resolved into the finding OF an
Indictment Bythe Suffolk grand jury. charg-
ing Iasigi with criminally embezzling the
funds OF the Prenchmen to the amount OF
bone e220. 900. The elder lasigt came here
many years ago and In the fruit and COM
f. nission'' business amasscd fortune OF
ef, 100 900. which was equally divided among
hts'chiklren.: Oscar added to his share, so
that when he persisted at the time OF the
City OF Columbus disaster. his estate, aside
from the large PROPERTY his wife inherited.
was nearly so per cent. larger than when he
received his share OF his fathers estate.
Joseph A., on the contrar seems to have
exhausted his own resources and drawn
upon the trusts In " his hands very
soon after his brothers death. While
he was never noted for extravaganza.
hs soon had no income except the 5000
or 1900 q year OF consular fees. and per-
haps $1,000 year from the remains OF the
once extensive importing business OF 1asig
G,Co. The money has not been lost in specu-
lation, but simply FILTERED away in the life
of man OF fashion.