New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-22
ACCUSED BY TAX BOARD.
O'SuuiUan Sought "Graft" from
Property O7cners, 1t Is Charged.

Michael OSullivan. the Deputy Tax Commits
sioner of Queens Borough, who was arrested Tues
day on the charge of accepting $500 from Eric
Erickson to obtain his appointment on the police
force. has also to answer charges brought by the
Tax Board which accuses him of using his power
deputy to extort money from property holders
These accusations were first brought to the board
by a person not named. and OSullvan was
watched for several weeks. The charges on which
he was finally brought up for a hearing on Tues
day before the board in two specifications
In the first IL is declared that October 2 1903
O'Sulvan said to Mr. Luce, in regard TO real
estate belonging to the Lalance & Grosjean Man
ufacturng Company. in which Luce was employed
these significant words:
last wear. 1t was about $4,000 II is worth over
s.. co,OOo I would like to see the lawyer OF the
well Zone OF the tax commissioners)? Well, moth
ing must be said to him about this
He then made arrangements with Luce to meet
and talk ii over Jamaica October 9. The
other specification declares that on the same day,
in conversation with Captain James A. Bell about
assessment OF certain real estate at Woodhaven
of which Mr.. Bell was part owner he said In sub
stance: Your property should be assessed city
lots" When Mr. Bell protested that the land was
under cultivation and should be classed farm
land 1t is alleged that O'sullivan replied: Well.
think it over" The next time he saw Bell. on
October 6. he said. so the charge goes:
Your property ought TO be assessed for $4,000 l
will put it at $4,000 for 500
city official who had intimate knowledge of the
case said yesterday:
There are a number of old Tammany appointees
in this department vet. but fast they show
the tendency to graft" they are being weeded out
A deputy has absolute power, practically in fixing
valuations. Occasionally when the commissioners
think a piece of property has been assessed too
low II they know II in time to notify the owner
the appraisal is raised. This seldom happens, and
a deputy has the chance to make all sorts of deals
without being found out This instance probably
never would have come to light If one honest man
who approached had not casually mentioned it
to a commissioner whom he knew personally.
OSullivan has retained in this counsel r.
E Perham and Wauhope Lynn. The hearing was
called Tuesday and adjourned till Friday after
In the police case which had its first hearing yes
terday, O'Sulvan represented by Abraham
Levy who asked for adjournment, which was
granted until next Monday. OSullivan was held in
81 900 bail O'S Illivan admitted taking the money.
but said it in payment for inJtructing Erick-
son for the examination TO be held. He said he
made no promise to the motorman that he would
get him on the force in return for the money.
OSullivan is a lawyer and former policeman.
He was a fire marshal under Mayor Strong, but
Jumped to Tammany when Strong went out. j.. 7.
Ryder the Tnmmany leader IN the Hid Assembly
District got Mayor Van Wyck to appoint O'Sull-
van deputy tax commissioner.