The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-18
COURT DISMISSES
TRIO OF CHARGES
AGAINST FALL0N
Three More Are Being Tried
Against Well Known Bridge
port Lawyer

brought, Attorney Fred B. Fallon will
have to answer but three. Yesterday
afternoon when the charges brought
by the Grievance committee of the
Fairfield County Bar were begun,
States Attorney Judson recommended
that three Of them be dismissed be-
cause of lack of evidence. The court
accepted the recommends ton. The
three charges on which he is held are
those brought by Walter H. and Ollie
Quinby of Worcester. alleging extor-
ton; Dennis O'Neil of this city, unfair
transaction in a real estate deal. and
one Arena. conduct in collecting a
death claim. Fallon on these charges
is being given a chance to show cause
why he should not be disbarred from
the practice of law in this county, or
any other action the court may take.
The only charge heard yesterday was
the Quinby case. Walter H. Qulnby
who is now serving a sentence in jail
for conspiracy. was one of the wit
nesses called. Fallon. defended his
case before the City and Superior
courts.
The charges dismissed by the court
were those of Mrs. BendettO of STRAIT
ford avenue. Patrick McGrath and
James Keegan. The Bendetto charge
was that in settling a personal dam
age claim with the Connecticut Co.
Attorney Fallon obtained $50. He was
to retain half Of the sum collected and
to pay the physicians services. At
torney Fallon neglected to pay the
doctors bill. $1O but later when de-
claim against Gabriel Bros. Of this
city for his client. Patrick McGrath.
Attorney Fallon was to retain rs per
cent. Of the amount collected. The
claim was settled for 500, of which
A.
McGrath believed that was three
quarters Of the amount settled upon.
Later when charges were brought by
others against Fallon he learned that
500 was the amount. Attorney F'al-
lon claimed it was agreed he should
lected. McGrath then brought
charges. Later Attorney Fallen paid
McGrath the extra &c. The Keegan
charge was in the collection of a bill
for carting dirt for the city. Through
influential members of the Common
ment had been reached between Fail
lon and his client that the former was
to retain one-half Of the amount COLI
lected. Fallon not only withheld $40.
but $50 besides. The latter. he claim
ed. was due him for former services.
The states Attorney though he asked
the charge to be dismissed. regarded
that Fallon took undue advantage Of
his client in keeping the $50.
The court then proceeded with the
hearing in the Quinby charge. On
May 10. 1909 Walter c. Quinby and
Hector c. Mclean were arrested for
defrauding Emma G. Berwall of Gil
bert street. out of her property. They
were brought before the city court and
bound over to the Superior court. each
of one of the accused. gave Attorney
Fallon. who had been retained as
counsel. $500 as security to secure a
bondsman for her husband, and also
$3.50 for a bondsman for Mclean, The
claim is made that Fallon still retains
accused forfeited their bonds. both
now serving sentences in the county
Jail. It is further claimed by Quinby
that Fallon after appealing from the
sentence imposed by the Superior
court, to the Supreme court did not
lieved he would. When the appeal
came before the Supreme court Fallon
did not make an appearance. It. is
further claimed by Quinby that while
Fallon was acting as his counsel. the
latter had him arrested on a bail piece
and brought to this city under guard
and placed in the county jail
AS regards the appeal to the SUI
preme court. Attorney John c. Cham
berlain was called as witness. He
stated that Fallon came to his office
two weeks prior to the hearing on the
appeal. representing that he was about
to go South. and for him, Chamberlain.
to present a brief. after reading a
copy of the record said Attorney
Chamberlain. IT told him / was very
it. Fallon stated that he must go
away. and would leave it with me.
told him that there was really nothing
to argue. I did look at the record
a number of times. but could find
nothing in it which I could respect
case was called 7 made answer. The
court looked through the record. I
have never found a thing in it worthy
of presentation"
Walter H. Quinby was the next call
ed. He stated that he owned prop
was arrested in this city Dec 10, 1909.
They engaged Fallon to defend them
and were to pay $25 piece. Both
were bound over under bonds of 81 900
to the Superior court to await trial
Quinby remained 18 days in Jail before
he could obtain bondsman When
a bond was obtained he returned to
Worcester. Later Mclean was re-
leased at Fallon's suggestion that if
his release was obtained the case
would never come to trial. Pending
the opening of the term of the court,
lon and informed that the case was
to be nolled. Later both he and Nc
Lean came before the court. were con-
victed and sentenced Quinby's bond
was placed at $4,000 and McLean's at
81. 500 Quinby was in Jail % days
before he could secure a bondsman,
after which he went back to Worces-
ter.
Quinby said he came here on Tues
day. May 8. at the request of Fallon
He met Fallon at the Union Hotel in
Water street. and was told to be in
Fallon's office at p. m. in the after
noon. Quinby said he went to many
places frequented by lawyers. that aft
ernoon. but could not locate F'allon.
Previous to this time he had heard
that Fallon was in trouble with other
clients in this city. and spoke to him
about it. He told FalIon that he
ought to call in DeF'orest & Klein in
his case. Fallon. he said. told him
that he had already consulted that
firm concerning his suit. Quinby
stated that he went to the office of
DeForest & Klein that afternoon and
consulted them concerning him. In
the evening he returned to worcester
The following Thursday he was ar
rested on bail piece. Quinby stated
that he was called to the office of At
torney Billiard in Worcester When
he reached there he was confronted
by one Newton. local detective. who
placed him under arrest when I
turned to speak to Mr. Billiard" said
Quinby, asking why I was being ar
rested. Newton drew a revolver and
placing it at my breast threatened to
shoot If asked any questions. Hand
fnd n Id to-