New Britain herald., 1921-10-03
Local Hotel Men Are Arrested by State Police in Berlin Charged With Bribery in Connection with Alleged Rum Running Activities Latest Developments Believed to Be Result of Supposed Confession of Detective Richardson.
Especial To Herald)

Hartford, Oct. 3.-Thomas McAulife, federal prohibition en- forcement agent of this district, was arrested Tn New Haven late this afternoon on a charge off having accepted a bribe from Sam and Charles Giardino, pro- prietoEs of the Hotel Grand in, New Britain. McAuliffe, in !. charge of policemen, was at once taken in an automobile and start ed for Hartford, on orders off States Attorney Hugh M. AL corn.
 The arrest of McAuliffe foI-i lowed closely that of the two New Britain hotel men who were arrested shortly after noon on su-; perior court bench warrants charging them with bribery.
 There IS much speculation as to whether the arrests of the Giar- dino brothers and the federal pro- hibition enforcement agent Is al direct result of the arrest of De- tective Sergeant Andrew J. Rich ardson of this city who, it has been stated, called States Attor- ney Alcorn to his cell in jail Sat- urday. It was stated at the time that the states attorney was ac- companied by stenographer and the unconfrmed rumor went out that Richardson had made a com plete confession at that time. s. tata --- ,4.s WI. 44.
 Sam Giardino, one of the pro- prietors of the Hotel Gram on Myrtle street, and his brother, Charles, who has been known along the street as 'The King of the Rum Runners," were both ar- rested this afternoon by State Policemen Pinnell and Nichols on charges of bribery. Attempts to locate them at their hotel in this city failed, but the state sleuths, taking RafaeIe (Duke) Giardino, another brother, with them, went to the Austin ice house Tn Berlin where the first two were arrested.
 Taken to Hartford. aa
 The accused men were taken at. once to Hartford, for arraignment in superior court. When put to plea, the men were charged with bribery, with no specific instance announced.
 The accused men are we'll known in local Italian circles. Several yearsl ago they took over the management of the hotel, after having engaged in the ice business fo- several years. it has been frequently reported that they have acquired considerable money since entering into the hotel business.
 A few weeks ago the Giardino, brothers purchased a site in Berlin, \ and were making preparations to re- enter the ice business.
 Iiumored in Rum Game.
 According to current rumors that have been in existence for many months back. the Giardino brothers were mixed up in the rum running'' game, but they have never before run afoul of the law and whether or not
  true has been simply a matter of conjecture.
 Not so very long ago Salvatore Var ielli, at present held in jail in lieus of S25, ,000 bonds on a charge of whis- key thefts, got into some sort of dis pute with the Giardino boys which re- suited in court action.
 Late this afternoon Prosecutor c. F. Lewis of Berlin arrived at the Hart ford County court house in response to a call from States Attorney H. M Alcorn. The two men went into con- ference at once.
 Case ia Mysterious.
 Just what the state will endeavor to prove in connection with the sim pie charge of bribery mentioned is unknown. There were no statements forthcoming from the state police or State Attorney Alcorn on the subject. Evidently the charge may be hooked up with some statements that may have been made by Richardson or others and prcsuma bly, have to do with offering money for the allowance of free entry or sale or intoxicating liquors on the part of an official of the police, city or state national prohibition enforcement agents.
 No Other Developments.
 With the exception of speculation as to future events and the almost cer- tainity of additional arrests before many hours have elapsed, there were few developments in the much talked of richardson Wrinkle case today Per sistent reports that the suspended de- tective has confessed to States At torney Alcorn have not been verified, as neither that official nor counsel for the accused would discuss the matter. At the situation nov stands Richard 4 son is still in jail in lieu of s5o,o00
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