The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-16
SUIT SAYS CLIFFORD
WRECKED ROBIN BANK
S2.75O.OOO Action Begun by
Stockholders Of Defunct
Northern.
FRAUD CHARGED IN BILL
Robin Himself Behind 1t, Is
Rcport-Bar Association
Makes Charges.
FRAUD CHARGED IN BILL

A suit In behalf Of stockholders Of the
dcfunct Northern Bank was filed In the
Supreme Court yesterday against the
law firm Of OXFORD. Hobbs 4 Beard. Of
which James NJ. Ginford. formerly direc-
tor and counsel of the bank 10 . member,
to hold the lawyers responsible for Toss
of s2.750.00O to the stockholders. Charges
against Mr.. Clifford arising from his tes-
timony in proceeding to recover $4,000
from tho bank for legal services by his
firm have been filed with the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court by the
grievance committee OF tho Bar Associa-
ton.
The suit is brought in the name of
Frank Demarest In behalf Of himself and
other stockholders. but It Ia said to be
actually instigated by Joseph @. Robin,
who has aided in drawing the complaint
since he got out OF prison. William Dun
can Cameron. the attorney In the case.
said that the suit was in the interest of
10000 depositors Of the bank who be-
licved the institution was closed and Robin
was ruined financially because powerful
interests. secretly allied with Lawyer Gif-
ford. were Jealous OF his success
Arson McCook Beard. son-in- law OF
James J. Hill. who is made IA defendant in
the suit with Mr.. Clifford Charles Il.
Hobbs and John II. Fearhake said that
the firm collected sI.5o0.000 for the bank
in two years and has never received cent
for IL. He pronounced the charges
groundless.
Complete History of "wrecking."
The complaint contains l1j paragraphs
and. in the words Of the attorney. Ia
a.. plnfa nf ha AZ
the Northern Bank by MIR clifford and his
associates. 1t Is alleged that on
December ~, 1910. the day the bank was
closed. Robin controlled $500 shares. and
clifford had eleven shares of stock solely
to qualify him as director
Both Robin and clifford were interested
in certain corporations together. and II
Is alleged that Robin was always ready
to aid the bank beyond the value of his
stock to prevent Mr.. clifford and his as
sociates from getting the control away
from him. II IL charged that Clifford and
his associates coveted Robins wealth,
and that they interfered with and up
set his plans for great financial under
takings. from a desire to destroy the
power and influence of Robin and dis
slpate his financial resources and elm
mate him from business activities
The complaint charges that to effect
this purpos. clifford. acting in the inter
est or poNtrlul Cilcnts ana ussoclht's, leu
Robin to believe that he was honestly
and faithfully representing him and the
Northern Bank. and thus ingratiated him
self into the confidence OF Robin for
Interior purposes. THE said clifford
fraudulently entered into conspiracy TO
wreck the Northern Bank and deprive IL
Of large sums OF money and valuable
property. to destroy the good will Of the
business and to divert and misappropriate
valuable property from the Northern
Bank"
The complaint alleges that on December
20, 1910. the day before the bank closed
one OF the Robin corporations had an
overdraft OF 100000 with the bank and
that Robin WAS critically III AZ the time
and his death hourly expected. II j.
alleged that tender OF s350,00O in gilt
edged securities was made to clifford to
cover the oyerdraft but clifford, instead OF
accepting II. and IN pursuance of hs con-
spiraCy To destroy the bank while acting
AS its counsel and adviser refused to
accept the bonds or to permit them to be-
accepted.