Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-29
PADDING SLIPS;
LANDS IN JAIL
Stuffing in Expense Mattress
WriggIes Out, and Deputy
Falls Hard
OLD UNCLE SAM BUNCOED
Fair Senorita Gets Packed Off to
Europe to Forget About
Gringo Sweetheart

James P. McHale a clean-cut look
ing young fellow, formerly a deputy
under United States Marshal Leo V.
Youngworth, stood up before Judge
Wellborn in the United States district
court yesterday and stoically received
a sentence that imprisons him two
years and three months for padding his
expense account while in the service
of the government.
Back of McHale's sentence and i'm
prisonment is a romance that reads
like a novel. Three years ago McHale,
while in Mexico on government mis-
sion, quit his job and entered the
service of the governor of the state
of Sinaloa as private secretary. He
was a frequent visitor at the COVER
nor's mansion, where he met and fell
in love with the executives daughter,
who reciprocated his affection.
FRAUD FOUND
Shortly after his engagement had
been announced his accounts in the
marshals office in Los Angeles We're
made the subject of an investigation
by an inspector from Washington. An
entry was discovered where he had
collected money from the government
for the hire of a horse and buggy he
had never used. The machinery of the
law was put in motion. The arms Of
the government reached over into
Mexico to bring him back to answer
to the charge, but in the meantime NC
Hale had made powerful friends who
were close to Diaz and who are SAID
to have eXerted every effort to protect
him from prosecution.
The date of his marriage to Jaunita
Camedo, the governors daughter, con-
nected with the proudest families of
Mexico, was postponed time and time
again while the young American fought
extradition two years. Despite the et-
forts of his powerful allies, he was
forced to spend that length of time in
the disgy Jail at Culiacan, supplied
with every luxury that money could
buy. His family, who are prominently
connected in the east, used every in
fluence to stop the prosecution, but
to no avail. He was eXtradited and
brought back by his former chief.
1t is said an elopement had been
planned in Mexico between McHale and
his sweetheart which Marshal Young
worth and her relatives thwarted. The
girl has been taken to Europe amid
new scenes and surroundings, where
she will be given an opportunity to
meet other men.
SMALL AMOUNT
The amount involved in McHaie S
embezzlement is $3.50 He has offered
to repay it many times, but the gov
ernment never forgives or forgets. He
must serve as an example to others
in the federal service.
On the witness stand the young man
admitted his wrongdoing. Il come OF
a good family, judge he said. There
was not much money involved, and
am willing to pay it back, If / go TO
iail it will place a stain upon my life
which I can never erase. 1 took the
money because 1 got behind in actual
money I did spend and could not ac-
count for. Give me chance, judge,
give me a chance"
Marshal Youngworth was deeply
moved by McHales pleading and pre-
dicament. although he has misused
me / believe that the two years ne
spent in Jail has made new and bet
ter man of him." he said. He has
changed since his confinement in that
hole in Mexico"