New Britain herald., 1921-11-28
Andrew J. Richardson at Court ROom-Many New Britain Spectators in the County Building.
Special to The Herald)


 Hartford, Nov. 2S.-Prosecuting At- torney Albert A. Greenberg of New Britain. through counsel Joseph H. Berry of Hartford and Herman Weissman of Waterbury, entered pleas of not guilty to charges of accepting a bribe to influence his actions as liquor prosecutor, and eXtortion, when he was arraigned in superior court this morning. Judge Wolfe is gro. siding and States Attorney Hugh Al. corn is presenting the states case
 Court Room Crowded.
 The court room in county building was crowded this morning with inter- ested spectators, many of whom came from New Britain. Practically the entire legal fraternity in the Hard- ware City is attending, some as char acter witness for the accused lawyer, but majority as spectators.
 Andrew J. Richardson There.
 Among the witnesses who took places in the room this morning just prior to the opening of the trial was Andrew J. Richardson, the deposed detective sergeant of the New Britain Police department, who is soon to face charges of concealing a stolen automobile He and Salvatore Variola, who sat side by side. are the chief witnesses for the state.
 Up to the close of the morning session, the testimony of but two wit nesses had been heard, that of Julius Douglas, county commissioner who told of Greenberg's appointment as liquor prosecutor, and that of Varioa, from whom Greenberg is alleged to have taken money to influence his ac- tions.
 Theme of Defense.
 What is regarded as the theme of GreenberEs defense was disclosed by Attorney Berry when Variola was turned over to him for cross-examina- ton after he had testified for the state. The Hartford lawyer, admitted that money had passed between Var iola and Greenberg, attempted to show that it was in the form of a re- tainer for legal services to be rendered by the prosecuting attorney.
 States Attorney Hugh Alcorn al- leges in his complaint that on June 25, 1920, Greenberg accepted bribe of Sl25 from Salvatore Nariola, and that on June IS, 1920, was guilty of extortion from E. c. Denison, a local garage man.
 Tells of Appointment.
 County Commissioner Douglas, the first witness to be called by the state, testified that Lawyer Greenberg was named as liquor prosecutor June IA, 1920, after the resignation of Judge B. w. filling. He served in office un- til January l4, 1920, when he resign ed. Lawyer Michael A. Sexton suc- ceeded him. The witness was excused without cross-eXamination.
 Variola Next Witness,
 Variola was the next witness called. The witness said he is 46 years of age, lives at 207 Lasale street, New Britain, is married and has six chill dren In 1919 and the early part of 1920. he was merchant in the Hard ware City, conducting store at the corner of East Main and Elm streets. In 1920 the business failed and he engaged in the handling and sale of liquor. He did business with a firm operating in a garage on Spring street, New York city, and made six or seven trips from that place to New Britain with loads of whiskey and al- cohol. He sold to saloonmen and others who were in the market, he testified.
 Prior to Bribc.
 Prior to the date of the alleged bribe, he entered into an agreement with F.. C. Denison for the hire of a truck to go to New York city. He went 10 the metropolis in the automo- bile and after arranging for the re- turn of between 70 and 75 gallons of alcohol and whiskey, the latter being old Taylor" he returned to New Britain by train Arriving home at 10 o'clock, he went directly to bed During the early hours of the morn- i ing, the truck arrived and by agree- ment, the stuff was stored at Deni- ! sons garage on Main street. Booze Gone.
 The next morning, while on his way 1 10 the garage. Nariola met Mike Mira, who told him that the booze was gone, He hurried to the garage and | found the stun missing. Upon in- 1 auiry he found that Denison had l knowledge of it's whereabouts, but de- ! clined to furnish such. information unless payment Of $500 was made to l him. according to testimony. Fur | ther testimony was that S250 was for l the garage man and $250 for the then | Detective Sergeant Richardson The witness had $500 in his pocket. which he offered to pay. but it was not ac- | cepted,
 \ S250 Check
 1 Nartola then. a"~"~ding to his story, went home and return,v. .NvNv If. | tcrward with a check for s.,t l When he returned, Enio Renaldno