The New York herald., 1921-10-14
COMMISSIONER LEO
SUSPENDS HIS AID
Deputy Michael Laura Ac-
cused of Trying to Defeat
Ends of Justice.
ASSAULT CASE INVOLVED
Suspended Official Is the Dem
ocratic Candidate for Sheriff
i'm Kings County.
ASSAULT CASE INVOLVED

Michael Laura, Deputy Commits
sioner of the Street Cleaning Depart
ment and Democratic candidate for
Sheriff of Kings county. was sus-
pended from duty yesterday afternoon
by Commissioner John p. Leo. In a
statement last night at the Chicopee
Club, In St. Nicholas avenue and 147th
street, Commissioner Leo said that he
suspended Mr.. Laura for trying tc
defeat the ends of justice" by med
ding In a case before Magistrate Gas
per ]. Liotta In the Flatbush Court, In
Brooklyn. involving charge of as
sault brought by a street sweeper
named Kelleher against Philip Nc
branch of the Drivers Union.
The Deputy Commissioner was noti-
fed Of his suspension during COM
ference in the Office of District Attor-
ney Harry A. Lewis Of Kings. The
conference was attended by Mr.. Lewis,
Mr. Laura. Commissioner Leo and
John Savarese, an assistant in Mr..
Laura's office.
The action OF the Commissioner fol-
lowed an Investigation begun by the
District Attorney In which both Mr..
Laura and Mr. Savarese were questioned
by Mr. Lewis. This Investigation. 1t was
said last night at the District Attorneys
office, will be continued this morning
when the further action Of the District
Attorney will be determined.
Magistrate TO BE Questioned.
: At Mr.. Lewis's office 1t was also said
that Magistrate Liotta would be asked
to attend this mornings hearing. where
he will be questioned i'm the effort to
learn the details OF Mr.. Laura's alleged
meddling and effort to influence the de-
cision of the court.
Mr.. Leo said that about three weehs
ago the sweeper Kelleher came into his
office and asked for some light work
until he had recovered from his injuries.
The man presented a very battered and
beaten appearance, the Commissioner
added. and when he was questioned he
declared that McMsnus had beaten him
because he had refused to join the union
Mr.. Leo instructed the man to make a
complaint against McManus. This was
done. McManus was arrested, the case
being set down for a hearing last Tues
day before Magistrate Lolita.
Late in the afternoon OF that day the
attorney who had been obtained to rep
that just before the case was called he
had heard reports Of a telephone mes
sage said 10 have been from Laura to
the Magistrate. This message, the attor-
ney Informed the Commissioner, stated
that the Deputy Commissioner was in
terested in the KeiIeher- McManus case
and wished to have whatever influence
he possessed exerted In behalf of Nc
Manus." and also asked that the case be
dropped II the Magistrate found IL possi-
Bile to do so.
The attorney told Mr. Leo that on ac-
count of this message he had asked the
Magistrate to adjourn the case until yes
terday. which was done. Mr.. Leo said
he took the matter up with Mr.. Laura at
once. and that although Laura denied
any knowledge OF the message he. Leo
obtained sufficient information TO war
rant him taking the matter - the Dis
trict. Attorney. Mr.. Lewis at once sum-
moned Mr.. Laura and Mr.. SavareSe to
his office with Mr.. Leo.
Reason for Continuance.
The District Attorney would not say
what had taken place during the con-
ference. II was learned. however. that
Mr.. Laura declared he knew nothing of
any message. either written or BY tele-
phone, being sent to Magistrate Lolita.
uo "a understood TO have said Inter.
however, that he knew OF the message
but that 1t was sent without his knowl-
edge or consent by his confidential
assistant" 1t was this Information that
impelled the District Attorney TO an
nounce that he would continue his in
vestigation to-day.
Mr.. Leo declared last night that Mr..
Conttaued ow Seventh Page.