New-York tribune., 1905-11-23
TAX OFFICE SW!NDIED.
GANG OF CLEVER FORGERS
arrest and Confession Point to
Organized Scheme of Theft.

The arrest and alleged confession of Gerald J.
OKeefe, formerly a clerk in the Office of Colonel
David E. Austen, Receiver of Taxes, who is ac-
cused of forgertes aggregating 5000 affecting
that department, have apparently brought to
light the existence of organized band of forg-
ers who have found Colonel Austens depart
ment an easy mark
It is said that when OKeefe met Colonel Aus
ten face to face at Police Headquarters yester-
terday he broke down and confessed his confess
sion involving two men who are said to have
prohted by the tax clerks dishonesty 1t is
also said that another check for ST. 500 stolen by
OKeefe from the Tax Receivers office and
cashed by him came to light yesterday. bringing
the total of his alleged stealings up to $4,000.
a woman who sold OKeefe diamond ring.
taking one Of the stolen checks in payment now
figures in the case, well the proprietor of
a gambling house who is said to have cashed
one of the checks.
Controller Grout said yesterday that the city
would lose nothing by O'Keefe's alleged forgeries
and embezzlement. The banks which cashed the
forged checks will make good to the Receiver OF
Taxes the amount stolen.
Colonel Austen last night made public state
ment in which, after citing five checks, he said:
In each of these cases, when the checks We're
returned to the drawers by the bank on which
they were drawn, they bore the Endorsement
also of Pay to the order OF the Jersey CITY
Trust Company. Nathan Canheld."
Inquiry at the Jersey City Trust Company on
treasurer, who said 'he could give no informa-
ton not authorized by Mr.. Lawrence. the presi-
dent"
Mr.. Lawrence was met by me on Friday No
veInber TO- and stated that they had turned the
matter over to Chief of Police Murphy of Jer-
sey City, and could give no information other
| than that which he authorized"
1 then called Mr.. Murphy, who stated that
his case had been turned over to the New-York
| police, and he could give information except
through the proper channel"
Mr.. McConville detective sergeant of New
York. called and submitted a statement.
rendered to him by Chief Murphy. which shows
that the account of Nathan Garfield with the
Jersey City Trust Company was started on Oc-
tober 10 and closed on October 70
On Tuesday, November II, visited the Jersey
City Trust Company with Mr.. McConvine and
saw Mr.. Lawrence, the president OF the trust
company. He declined to give any information
as to the address of Canfield, to inform US
who had recommended him to the trust com
pany, and in showing a signature Of Garfield on
a card pinned a piece of paper over all the card
except the signature apparently TO conceal other
writing on the same. He showed several checks
by which Mr. Garfield had drawn money from
the trust company all Of which were to the
order of Garfield and had been paid in cash over
the counter.
I have been unable TO get other information.
In addition to the above. check has been
submitted TO me- drawn by William j. Hess 70
the order OF Peter NJ. Ehatt. in the sum OF
1854 20, which Mr.. Hess claims was mailed to
this Office duly indorsed by Peter NJ. Ehatt, but
with no other Endorsement.
It should be remembered that all bills rem
dered by.this bureau state on their face Draw
check to order of Receiver of Taxes. Checks
| received subject to collection. In none of these
cases were the directions followed. but the
checks were indorsed by the parties to whose
order drawn and it is stated by them that they
were mailed in this negotiable condition
Two checks, Colonel Austen said. bore the in
| dorsement of Intermediates.