Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-31
ALLEGED COUNT
IN PARIS PRISON
SUPPOSED NOBLEMAN FIGURED
IN LOS ANGELES
LEAVES CITY WITH VALUELESS
CHECKS UNcAsHED
Goes to French Metropolis, Where He
Is Said to Have Obtained $4,000
in JeweIry by Fraudu-
lent Methods

Count" Gubatta, who was arrested
in Paris, Thursday, in company with
woman posing as Countess" Gu
batta, on the charge of obtaining $4,000
worth of jewelry by fraudulent
methods, is supposed to be the same
person who for several months fig
ured in Los Angeles society, and
whose picture at present adorns d con-
| spicuous place in the rogues' gallery
at central police headquarters.
| When the alleged count who posed
as a descendant of a royal Austrian
family, left Los Angeles in the spring
of 1908, he also left a criminal record
and a string of valueless checks.
| Otto Gubatta first came in touch
with the Los Angeles police January
70, 1908, when he was arrested by Detec-
tives Hosick and Zeigler charged with
passing two valueless checks of $50
each on George Schilling, a former
roommate, FOG California street, and
Gus Peterson, 756 Clanton street.
The checks were given in payment
for several automobile joy rides,
which abutta enjoyed with three
| Los Angeles maidens, who, it Is said,
were infatuated with the dashing Aus
TRAN, and deceived by his stories of
royal ancestry.
IliC CllGNhS WOIt uidWl Oll lllC Nltl7
zens National bank and were returned,
marked mo funds
AS the offense at that time did not
constitute a felony, according to law,
| Gubatta was arraigned on misde-
meanor charge and fined $50, which he
induced friends to pay.
About the same time Gubatta is said
to have stolen $40 from his roommate,
Irmy Vicich. He then obtained a po-
sition as caretaker for Mrs. Ingraham,
1900 West Adams street, and when ar
rested later silverWare valued at 5000
and bearing the initials of the Tngra-
ham family was found in his possess
sion.
Prevents Prosecution
By his gullible talk and pleadings
that his arrest as a theft would break
the hearts of his royal parents, 1t
is said Mrs. Ingraham was persuaded
not to prosecute Gubatta.
Believing the police were becoming
too active, Gubatta went to San Fran
CISCO where he resumed his practice
of imposing on newly-made friends,
and was arrested, charged with forg-
cry He remained in Jail but few
days, his attorney obtaining two Aus
TRANS who went on his bail to the
amount of $780,
Gubatta did not remain In the Bay
city to face trial, and his friends lost
the bail money.
Nothing had been heard of Gubatta
until word of his arrest in Paris was
received. Yesterday the police of Los
Angeles and San Francisco were wired
in regard to the mans criminal rec
ord
The woman arrested with Gubatta
is said to be an American named
Beck, and has wealthy relatives in
New York. Gubatta posed as the son
of Archduke Ohio of Austria, and
lived in luxuriant manner with Mrs.
Beck and her seven children.
The police claim the couple OBJ
tanned credit on recommendation of a
high official of the Spanish embassy.
Gubatta is personally known by
Patrolman Matuskiwiz of the Los An
geles police department, who lived in
the same town with the alleged i'm
personator in Austria. According to
the patrolman, Gubatta is not of royal
parentage, his father being a surgeon
in the Austrian army.
If the police of Paris fail to prove
the charges against the prisoner, steps
will be taken to have him brought to
the United States, as the Austrians
who furnished the $1,000 bail for Gu
batta are DESTROYS of having con-
| fidential talk with the supposed
nobleman.