Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-29
ARREST LAWYER:
FRAUD CHARGED
FORGERY AND PERJURY ARE
ACCUSATIONS
PRISONER SAID TO HAVE AIDED
GERTRUDE briggs
Name of Late John Charnock Alleged
to Have Been Attached Falsely
to Deeds to Secure
Property

Charles M. Alderman, an attorney
with offices in the Billiard block, was
arrested yesterday at his home, 5S1
Britannia street, by S. L. Browne, chief
of the criminal investigation bureau of
the district attorneys office. He was
arraigned before Justice Ling on two
charges, forgery and perjury, and ow-
ing to his inability to furnish bonds of
$500, was placed in the county Jail.
Alderman is charged with abetting
Gertrude briggs in the alleged forgery
of the name of the late John Charnock
to deeds to a large portion of his prop
erty and later filed in the recorders
office. The charge of perjury grows out
of Ackerman's testimony in Justice
Ling's court during the preliminary
examination of Mrs. briggs, whose trial
on a forgery charge Is set for June q
in Judge Willis court.
The complaint against the attorney
was issued by W. ]. Ford, deputy dis
trict attorney, and sworn to by C. R.
Smead, executor of Charnock's will and
nephew of the deceased.
Ackermans connection with the
briggs case has been the subject of an
investigation beginning more than
three weeks ago, his testimony during
the preliminary hearing of the woman
being of such a nature that the sus-
picions of Deputy Ford were aroused
that the full facts concerning his asso-
citation with her as notary and attorney
were concealed.
Claims He Took Acknowledgment
While testifying in that examination,
Alderman said he accompanied Mrs.
briggs to the home of John Charnock
early in March, and as notary took the
old mans acknowledgment to his sig
nature on deed prepared by Acker-
man at request of Mrs. briggs the day
before.
Alderman said he did not see Char
mock write his name, but waited on the
porch of Charnock's home until he and
Mrs. briggs came out, the latter with
the paper in her hand.
The matter was placed in the hands
of Mr.. Browne about three weeks ago.
and the report of his investigation was
handed to. Deputy Ford yesterday. In
it Mr.. Browne expresses the belief that
the attorney has full knowledge and
was cognizant of every step taken by
Mrs. briggs, and also acted in con-
junction with her in her alleged efforts
to obtain possession of part of the
Charnock estate.
Following the receipt of the report
Alderman was closeted with Deputy
Ford for half an hour yesterday fore
noon. Another conference was arranged
for the early afternoon, but when the
appointed time arrived the attorney
telephoned he was prevented from go
ing to the district attorneys office, and
another appointment was arranged for
4 o'clock, Alderman being told If he
did not put in an appearance war
rant for his arrest would be issued.
When he did not appear at 4:30 o'clock
Mr.. Browne went to Ackerman's home
and placed him under arrest.
Alderman stated later that there was
nothing criminal in his connection with
the briggs affair.
"I told my story on the witness stand
in Justice Ling's court" he said, land
what 1 said was the truth If there has
been any forgery 1 know nothing about
II. I have been aware that an investi-
CATION was being made, but have felt
no fear of the final outcome"
The date for the preliminary examin-
alton of Alderman probably will be set
today by Justice Ling.
g.