The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-06-19
Accused Makes a Confession
to Attorney Geo eral Knox.
FAST LIVING CAUSE OF RUIN
Police Disclaim Any knowledge of the
Affair, But Arrest Seems to Be Ger
tain-Work of the Expert Account
ants on the Books-warEant Iss1ed
for Arrest Of the Bmplcye.

An unexpected investigation this
morning of the accounts Of the disburs-
ing officer o. the Department Of Justice.
Henry Rechtin, disclosed shortage IF
between $1,000 and s8,000. lie was i'm
mediately taken into custody.
When the officials came and announced
their intention of examining all the ac-
counts Rechtin suaveIy placed every
thing at their disposal. Before the in
vestigation had progressed far, however.
ne sent word TO Attorney General Knox
that he would like 10 see the latter pri-
vately as quickly as possible.
When in the presence OF his chief. a
few moments later. Reehtin declared
that Irregularities in his official accounts
would be disclosed before many min
utes, and that he was compelled to con-
fess to a shortage to the extent OF the
amount named
Rechtin is a bachelor Of about forty
five years of age and previous to 1895
was clerk of the county courts Of Gin
cinnatf- He attained among lawyers
there reputation for ability in the dis
charge OF his duties and was known as
man OF most attractive manners His
engaging personality won the attention
of men Of influence and seven years ago
he secured from the then Attorney. Gen
eraI Harmon the position Of disburs-
ing officer IN the Department of Justice
in this city
The First Suspicion.
The first suspicion Of any Official
wrongdoing on the part Of Rechtin was
caused by rumors Of his lavish use of
money with companions who we're fond
of gay life Repetition of these re-
ports caused the Department OF. Justice
some uneasiness, though all the previ-
Gus investigations Of the disbursing Of
fee had shown no discrepancies in the
accounts.
In order. therefore. to set at rest
these doubts. or else uncover the true
facts in case shortage really existed,
an unannounced visit from The Treasury
Department Investigators was deter
mined upon last week and today was
fixed as the time-
Arrival of the Inspector.
Shortly after the department officials
began the days work at their desks this
morning, the inspectors from the Office
Of the Comptroller OF the Treasury put
in an appearance and went directly 10
the d:sbursing officials quarters. Rech-
tin returned their formal greetings and.
| in response to their request for all the
accounts under his care, calmly put ev-
| erything at their disposal In less than
ten minutes Rechtin saw the investiga-
tion was to be a most searching one and
thereupon went to Mr.. Knox and con-
fessed.
Rechtin told the Attorney General that
his downfall was due to fast living and
speeuIating. Where the money had
gone TO. beyond this general explana-
tion he said ne could not at that mo-
ment specify. When asked regarding
the time over which his pecuIations had
extended he declared they had been go
| ing on for some time past. but that ne
had always been able TO cover Up the
shortages in time when he heard in
advance of the coming of the custo-
mary investigating parties.
Today. he said. he had no intfmation
Of a visit from the inspectors and his
accounts were found in their true con-
iition- Heretofore, he admitted to Mr..
Knox he had borrowed sufficient mon
ey TO make up the losses he had sus-
/ tained and kept II in his official ac-
counts until the Investigation had been
concluded. when it was taken out and
returned to those from whom he had
borrowed il.
Repeats His Statement.
Later. in the presence of other on
Gals, Rechtin repeated to Mr. Knox the
| confession previously made. and his
| statements were duly recorded.
| Reehtin IS under bond of $50. 600, IS
sued by a Baltimore surety company. 50
! the Government will rot sustain any
! loss.
| He was detained IN the building on Mr.
Knox's orders until a warrant could be
made out with United States District
f! Attorney Gould as the complainant
/ a warrant for the arrest OF Rechtin
was issued later in the day at the in
stance of Attorney General Knox It
/, was sworn 10 by District Attorney
: Gould and placed in Detective Horne's
hands to he served
Rechtin was appointed GisbursiDg ofh-
Ger of tho Department Of Justice during
j the second Administration Of President
i Cleveland by Attorney General Harmon.
The shortage n Rechtin's accounts.
is3erefore. covers almost TIE entire pc