The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-13
THEY MAY Be D|SbARRED.
Frank Grove, J. n. Perkins and
J. b. Ault Brought Up for Allex-
ed Fraudulent Transactions

For alleged unp-ofess,ona, conduct
amounting. Il true, 10 fraud CT the deepest
dye oisoarmenr proceedings were yesterday
evening commenced in the superior court
against three Seattle lawyers. Frank
Grove j. y. Perkins and J. 3. Ault- The
sef-styled victim OF their alleged traud0-
lent practices is Ruel MeNei.ey, a former
client, whose written charges were set for
hearing before Judge Benson on NoveIa-
Der IL. The three lawyers were cited TO
appear on that date and show cause why
they should not be excluded from further
practice before the court.
1t has been years since similar proceed
ings have been begun against member OF
the Seattle bar. and the threatened disba.-
ment Of three at one blow promises 10
cause Widespread sensation
The specific charge is that the three law
yerS loaned 10 one Charles E. Powell their
names TO be used II suit brought by
Powell. who is not lawyer. in behalf OF
the petitioner, McNelley and Margaret Nc
Neley. his wife, against the Union Trunk
Line for 5000 damages by personal injuries
alleged 10 have been received by Mrs. Nc
Nei4ey while riding on a street car operat-
ed by that company and that they after
wards conspired and colluded with Powell 10
obtain dismissal OF the suit without the
consent OF the plaintiffs and by fraud upon
$500. which. 1t is alleged. was divided among
Powell and the three lawyers. The mere
allowing OF one not a lawyer 10 prosecute
suit in his name is forbidden by law TO an
attorney.
In his petition McNelley alleges that on
or about September Powell, falsely and
fraudulenty representing himself as being
an attorney-at-law practicing in all of the
courts Of the state Of Washington and ad-
q aS Non
ployment 10 bring the suit and then pro-
cured from Grove, Perkins and AuIt the
use Of their names. Thereafter. McNeiley
says. the three lawyers, lending their names
to Powell for the purpose, filed a complaint
in the suit, which was afterwards con-
Quoted under the direction, management
and control Of said Charles E. Powell
McNel.ey then goes ON to allege that
while the case was pending Powell, by
fraud, deception and Misrepresentation
induced the plaintiffs therein, your pet.-
toner and his wife. to sign a paper which
they. the said Charles 4. Powell. John 3.
Ault J. n. Perkins and Frank Grove.
maintained and stated did not have the
effect OF dismissing the action, and that the
said Charles E. Powell, acting In conjunc-
ton with Frank Grove, ]. n. Perkins and
John b. Ault, and combining and confej-
Grating with them to cheat and defraud the
Plaintiffs in the premises represented
that the defendant in the case desired TO
change its plea and that it was necessary
that the change should be agreed to by
the plaintiffs in writing.
BY these alleged fraudulent msrepre-
sensations McNelley alleges the signature
OF himself and his wife was obtained to
the paper. which," the petition states
was. in fact. as the plaintiffs subsequent
ly learned, stipulation that the cause be
settled and dismissed by which, in fact
and in truth. the said attorneys combining
and confederat!ng as aforesaid with said
Charles Il. Powell. had agreed with the
defendant in said action TO settle and conf
promise said suit for the sum of 5000
In conclusion, McNelley alleges that the
said attorneys and the said Charles Pow
ell received said $500 from the said de-
PENDANT in settlement of said cause of
action. and caused an order TO be entered
therein dismissing said SUIT as settled and
knowingly. fraudulently and corruptly d.
Sided said money so received from said de-
PENDANT among themselves, appropriating
the same and the whole thereof to their
own use and benefit