New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-11
GIRL PARTNER STOLE
HIS CORALS, HE SAYS
Importer Charges She and Her
Brother Forced Him to Take
Them Into Firm.
ACCUSE HIM rs SMUGGlER
Court Appoints Gem Merchant
His Own Receiver in Strange
Suit to Dissolve Compact
of Partnership.

OF fdTCueTSHlp.
A strange story OF alleged extortion
and smuggling was told to Justice Nc
Call Yesterday by Michele De Detects.
OF No. i Maiden Lane, said to be the
leading coral importer in the world.
For eleven years he was Mayor of
the town Of Tore del Greece, near
Naples, Italy, which is devoted chiefly
to the coral industry
De Detects said he has been i'm bust
ness for more than thirty-five years,
and alleged that on the threat Of being
reported to the federal authorities as
a smuggler Of coral he was induced to
sign away an interest in his business.
and that when he brought suit to set
aside this agreement the persons with
whom he had made it did report him,
and his arrest and indictment followed.
His trial has been set for next Mon
day in the federal court. Also the
agents OF the Treasury Department
raided his Maiden Lane establishment
and seized corals valued at $4,000.
De Detects Is suing Umberto Ciava-
limo and his sister, Maria Clavalino, OF
No. 1916 10Th street, Brooklyn. He
said they are under the domino ton OF
their mother. Mrs. Maria Cavalino.
and their sister Louise. who is dress
maker. De Detects said that threats
TO expose him as a smuggler were
made by Louise. The latter told him
that he was liable to a sentence OF
fifteen years in prison. Frightened by
these threats. De Detects said he ad-
mitted the two defendants az partners
in his business. Then he reconsidered
his decision and was about TO report
the alleged extortion TO the District
Attorney Of Kings County. but decided
he would bring a civil sut instead.
Smuggling Charge Is Brought.
No sooner had De Detects brought his
suit 10 set aside the contract or part
nership than a complaint was made 20
the customs authorities that he had
been smuggling the corals. De Delec-
lis was arrested and released in 5000
bail. He narrated 10 Justice Mccall
the details OF the raid on his place Of
business and the seizure OF the corals
The indictment Of De Detects was
based on the testimony OF two sailors
OF an Italian steamship. who were idsi-
Lts
come l. her home with packages for
De Delectis. who at the time lived in
he Ciavalno home.
In his story TO Justice Mccall the
country in 1903 10 personally take
charge Of his business here. Because
OF his age and the fact that he was
aff'icted with rheumatism he wanted To
be with family he knew. Domenico
Ciavslno. father OF the two defend
ants. had been his friend in Italy. and
al the suggestion OF Domenico he went
10 live with them. lie helped the fam
ily financially. he said, and in his will
had left all Of his property TO Louise
and Mario.
DE Delsctis said he went TO Italy in
the summer OF 1871 to buy corals, and
took Mrs Ciavallno and her daughter
Louise with him. lie paid all their ex-
penses. lie left umberto CiavaIino in
charge Of his business here, but soon
after he arrived in Italy he was in
formed that Ciavaiino had discharged
his confidential bookkeeper. on his re-
turn, De Detects alleged. he learned
that Louise had taken large amounts
Of money ont OF his bank by means OF
checks, which she admitted, but told
him she had returned all but about
81 900.
Woman Denies Accusation.
mi. %