The Washington times., 1902-06-20
DBFAULHBR RBCHTIN
NOW OUT ON BAIL
Friends Secure Bends for
His Release.
Confcsces Embezzlement of About
$4,000 CT Government Funds From
Department of Justice.

Quite a sensation was caused in the
Department Of Justice yesterday by an
investigation which showed a shortage
OF $1,000 or s3.OoO in the accounts of
Ienry Rccltin. disbursing officer of the
department, ard his confession of the
embezzlement.
He was taken into custody by Ser
geant Horne of the headquarters detec-
tive force on warrant charging him
with embezzlemen;, sworn out by Dis
trict Attorney Could. He was later re-
leased on $4,000 bond. furnished by the
West Virginia Security Company.
Rechtin is under bond OF $4,000, put
up By Baltimore surety company. The
Government. therefore. will lose moth
ing by the shortage.
Defalcations of Long Standing.
According to the story told to Attorney
General KICK and Comptroller Tracewell
by Rechtin he began to take money from
the Goyernme shortly after coming
here. nearly seven years ago, but had
managed to cover up the shor age ly lo--
rowing money from friends when there
was to be an investigation of his ac
counts. 1t was only that his books were
gone over yesterday without previous no.
tifcation to him that the shortage IVES
actually discovered, although Rechtin had
been under suspicion for some time.
He had not arrived at the Department
Of Justice yesterday morning when the
experts called 10 look over the books, and
they were at work when he walked in.
He appeared to be somewhat surprised.
but turned over TO them all his accounts.
He went Immediately to the office OF
Attorney General Knox and told that
individual that a shortage would be dis
covered in his accounts. Prior to yes
tsrday he said he had been able to
cover up the affair by borrowing money
to balance his accounts Yhen the in
spectors We're slated to make an exam
ination. but the inspection yesterday
had come as a surprise.
Rechtin could not specify what had
been done with the money. hut toll
the Attorney General that his downfall
was due to fast living and speculating.
Later the official reiterated his confess
sion in the presence Of other officers Of
the department, and was then request
ed by Attorney General Knox not to
leave the building.
Later a warrant was sworn out by
United States District Attorney Gould
under the same statute as in the case
of Dis5ursing Officer Barrows of the
Census Oftice, who recently defaul.ed.
Released on Bond.
Rechtin remained under arrest until
about o'clock in the evening, when
friends secured bond through the West
Virginia Security Company. and he was
released. Rechtn declined 10 make any
statement to the police and later. when
seen at his residence, 50S Tenth Street
northwest. by a reporter, he again de-
clined to talk. He appeared very hu-
inflated over his predicament.
Attorney General Knox had been rath-
er suspicious that things were not run
ming right in the disbursing office for
some time past, and it was at his re-
quest that Comptroller Tracewell order
ed the special examination OF the books
yesterday morning Rechtin was well
liked at the department. and the news
OF his defalcation came as 4 great shock
to his friends here. II was generally
known, however. that he lived a very
fast pace, and spent more than his s., 600
snlary