The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-03-12
UTAH STATE TREASURY
ROBBED OF Big SUM
Over $4,000 Taken From the State Christensen For
mer state Treasurer, Who Confesses-Ndoney Lost
In Mining Ventures in Nevada.

James Christensen former state
treasurer. following his confession OF
his responsibility for shortage OF
over $4,000 in the state treasury. Is
under arrest and Is now In Jail in
Salt Lake. The money. 1t is ac-
knowledged. was used In speculations
in Nevada mining ventures.
Christensen was state treasurer Tor
the four-year term ending at the be-
ginning of the present year.
The shortage in the accounts was
discovered a few days ago through
the checking Of the accounts by the
state board of examiners. At the
time Christiansen was in Nevada,
where he has extensive mining inter.
ests. In response to telegram ap-
prising him OF the discovery, he re-
turned to Salt Lake and admitted his
shortage The exact amount Is S7U,-
62S94 and this has been deposited to
the credit of the state by the bonds
men and friends Of tho ex-oiiicial. Up.
on relinquishing his Office as state
treasurer to his successor David Matt
son. MT. Cbristiansen accepted a po-
sition as temporary deputy state aud
itor. It was discovered last week that
an item on the auditors books charg-
ing Salt Lake county with S16S, 900
had been tampered with and an at
tempt made to make 1t show sl08,OOO
instead. The handwriting was NOT
that of anyone in the state auditors
office and the investigation followed
State Auditor Jesse D. Jewkes was
the first to have suspicion OF the
shortage In looking over his official
books one week ago he noticed that
someone had changed an entry credit
Ing Salt Lake county $16S,O00 for
taxes paid to the state treasurer to
read $10S 900. The change was
clumsily made Following the dis
covery a balance was drawn which
showed the shortage of 100000. That
amount had been received from the
county treasurer of Salt Lake county,
but had not been credited to the ac-
count of the state OF Utah or no rec
ord was to be seen OF any state eX-
penditures for that amount
State Auditor Jewkes Immediately
called a meeting Of State Treasurer
David Mattson. Governor William
Spry. Attorney General Albert X.
Barnes and Secretary Of State e.. s.
Tingey. An investigation was started,
Suspicion from the first rested upon
Mr.. ChristianSen because at the time
Auditor Jewkes took office Mr. Chris
tiansen had volunteered to assist him
in beginning his work.
This was accepted. as 1t had been
decided to use the system of book
keeping in use in the state treasurer's
office. In making the entries from
the old to the new books, Mr.. Chris
tiansen called off the numbers for
transfer.
Later in looking over the new books
he had ample opportunity to make any
changes he desired. He was above
suspicion. With the shortage pointing
to the state treasurer's office Alice
Mclaughlin. the present deputy state
treasurer, who had also served under
Mr.. Christensen, was among the first
called before the officials.
Most of the money taken had been
invested at Virginia City, New, in
mining property in which Mr. Chris
tiansen was interested with A. j. Web
er, Henry and George Hays and 9TH
ers OF the amount. $4,000 had been
used to pay two $4,000 notes taken
out by the men named as directors
of the Virginia City Mining company.
One note had been taken out at the
State Bank Of Utah and another at
the bank of w. S. Mccormick & Co.
Both notes had been paid by Mr.. Chris
tiansen from state funds.
Though the state treasurer's books
had been examined by the board or
examiners several times. the cash on
hand had been found to balance. From
statements made of the confession, 1t
was learned that the state treasurer
had succeeded in juggling checks on
banks out Of Salt Lake in such a
manner that his books balanced.
The 100000 received from County !
Treasurer John A. Groesbeck was not |
converted to his private use but simp- !
ly TO balance the shortage that had |
been taken in the past With the $780, !,