New-York tribune., 1909-03-24
c. ". CULklN ARRESTED
CHIEF CLERK OF SPECIAL
SESSIONS ACCUSED.
Jerome Charges Tammany Leader
5rith Larceny of 81 Sheriff
Foley GiCcs Bail Bond.

Charles W Culkin, chief clerk of the Court of
special Sessions and Tammany leader of the 9th
Assembly District, was arrested yesterday af-
te-noon charged with the larceny of 1883.
later he was arraigned on a short affidavit in
the Tombs court before Magistrate Crane. who
held him in S1.5G0 bail for examination on the
afternoon OF March 50. Sheriff Foley furnished
the bond
In the morning both Culkin and William II.
Fuller deputy clerk. testified before the grand
fury which is investigating the clerks office of
the court. This inquiry follows the conviction
last week Of Herbert H. Mase. formerly clerk
Of the court who accepted unlawful fee of
$40 for changing the court records, Chief
clerk Culkin was arrested as he stepped from
the grand jury room.
Nr Jerome told Magistrate Crane that while
before the grand jury Culkin had been asked to
account for $4,000 in fines collected this month
IN the Court Of Special Sessions and that Culkin
had replied that part of il in banks. part in
his safe part in his pocket and part in his pr-
yate safe at home.
District Attorney Jerome said the prisoner
would not consent TO go TO mis- home with
officer and produce the money. and that when he
was pressed further Cul}lin said the money
not Yet at his home He had sent friend,
named Harmon to his home with it, he
rnoney he had answered that Harmon on
his way UP 10 his (Culkin's) home then Pressed
<r-tber he admitted. District Attorney Jerome
said that he had not given Harmon the money.
but that Harmon had gore out to get the money
for him.
Mr Culkin was represented by James d Nc
rlelland. lawyer. who declared Culkin was
capable Of making full explanation
THE EXPLANATION JEROME WANTS.
The only explanation he can make is to tell
where the money is that belongs TO the city Of
Nex York" said Mr.. Jerome
Nobody wants TO submit q search such as
YOU suggested retorted Mr.. McCleIand. To
take man up With a policeman. and in front
Of his wife and children 10 make a search Of the
premises is an indignity no man would con-
sent 10"
Where is the city's money" reiterated Mr
Jerome Tell US where the money is. That's
all We want TO know.
The defendants counsel subsided at that, and
asked Mr Jerome if he was ready to go on with
the case.
7 am not ready" interposed Magistrate
Crane.
We'll viii the District Attorney stipulate that
the grand jury viii not he asked to hand down
an Indictment against my client?" asked MI
McCleand.
q. 4
Roth grand juries are now considering the case
will not suspend the investigation If Mr.
McCleIland will tell US where the money Of the
CITY Of New York is we will suspend the investi-
CATION"
1t is none Of your business where the money
is" snapped the defendants counsel. We Will
tell YOU in good time
All right replied the District Attorney.
In the morning District Attorney Jerome ap-
peared in the Court Of Special Sessions and in
te-rupted the proceedings. To Justices Olmsted.
deuel. and Hoyt he said:
MAY ] address the court in matter not on
the calendar. but connected with the welfare
and discipline of the court"
CASH UNCERTIFIED CHECKS. HE SAYS.
An investigation shows it is the habit of the
clerks Of this court to cash uncertified checks
out Of the money received by this court fines
a check for $1,000 which hold in my hand was
drawn by the deputy clerk by order Of the chief
clerk out Of the money received by this court
for fines 1t was turned over 10 the chief clerk,
but was not deposited by him in his accounts.
but indarsed pay to the order Of the Citi-
gems Central National Bank signed Charles
". CuIkfn: clerk William Fuller This was
received in cash and turned over to the clerk
Of the court
What was the date Of that?" asked Justice
Olmsted.
January 16 1909" replied Mr.. Jerome.
Soon after the trouble with the bank?" asked
Justice olmsted. 4 think remember something
Of the kind brought The attention of the
court at that time
y know nothing about it," said Mr.. Jerome.
your honors may be apprised it is the custom
20 cash uncertihed checks out Of the money Of
the fines"
Justice Deuel. who presiding. directed the
stenographer TO make transcript OF the Dis
trict Attorneys remarks. and said that the court
would take UP the subject.
Assistant District Attorney Murphy, at the
luncheon hour, went to the Citizens Central Ma
tionaI Bank TO examine the account Of the city
there, and experts are work the books Of
the Gansevoort Bank, where Culhn has his de-
posits.
check for $50 is said to have been drawn
as loan to Police Captain Cottrell, OF the Leon
ard street station. about year ago, and this is
being investigated by Assistant District Attor-
hey Murphy 1t was drawn. Il is said. by Fuller
at the direction Of Culkin There is no record,
IL is said, OF this check having been paid.
District Attorney Jerome said later that he
peiieVed 1t had been common practice for the
clerks OF the Court Of Special Sessions to lend
ou' money on uncertihed checks He said he
relt positive that the city's money collected in
hnes mad not been kept intact. and that irregu-
'arlues mad been going for long time
ASKED whether Deputy Clerk Fuller had alb
solVed himself Mr.. Jerome said that Fuller had
cone nothing up to date that he had not been
oroer TO co by Culkin, his superior officer.
Mr. Jerome said he did not know the ramifica-
aons Of the case, but that his investigation