Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-03-23
BRIBERY CHECK IS
DAMAGING EXHIBIT
AGA|NSTGOVERNOR
Robertson, of Oklahoma,
Is Indicted by Grand
Jury
MANY OTHERS INVOLVED
Other Arrests to Be Made
in This Sensational
Case
MANY OTHERS involved
CBy Associated Press)

| i"i6CcJ Ohid., MdTCn Zo.-GOV-
ernor ]. B. A. Robertson. of Okla
homa, and several officials of Ok
mulgee banks We're under bond today
for trial on indictments alleging lille
gal transactions involving two local
banking institution.
Governor Robertson is charged
specifically with accepting part of
$4,000 bribe to place $15OOOO of
state funds in the former Guaranty
State bank to prevent closure when
that bank was known to have been
insolvent. The state executive came
here last night from Oklahoma City,
accepted servic on a warrant furnish
ed bond of $4,000 and left in few
hours to return to the state capital.
He said his visit was to meet the is
sue without delay. The governor
declined further comment on the
charge, declaring the case was in
the hands of his attorneys, whose
advice he would follow.
Warrant for Dennis, Too.
Besides those arrested yesterday,
"a warrant is held for Fred Dennis,
former state bank commissioner
jointly indicted with Governor Rob-
ertson. Dennis is charged in the in
dictment with having shared the
$4,000 bribe with the governor.
Dennis has been missing from Okla
homa City since he resigned several
months ago. A search will be insti-
tuted for him. The indictment re-
turned by the district court grand
jury against Governor Robertson and
the former state banking commits
sioner charges that Dennis, with the
knowledge of the governor, made an
examination of the Guaranty State
bank in September, 1920, which dis
closd that the institution was insol-
vent.
The governor and the banking
commissioner, having the power and
authority under the law to determine
the solvency or insolvency of the
bank the indictment alleges, took
from John H. Rbold, wealthy oil op-
orator and vice president of the bank,
a bribe of $4,000 pursuant to an
agreement that $15O,OOO in state
funds would be deposited in the in
solvent bank and that through the
bank would be allowed to continue
business, although insolvent, in vio-
lation of the state laws.
Bribe Paid by Check.
The $4,000 was delivered by Re-
bold to Governor Robertson and
Dennis by means of cashiers check,
and they received cash in lieu of the
check, it is charged.
Dennis took the check rendered by
Rebold, deposited it in an Oklahoma
City bank and split it three ways
records taken before the grand jury
purported to show. Governor Rob-
ertson was alleged to have received a
check for $8,333.34, and Dennis a SIM
liar amount with which he purchased
a farm. No record of the third check
was produced.
Admitted Getting Money.
When a legislative investigation
of the transaction was made last
wear with a view to the impeachment
of Governor Robertson, Dennis ad-
mitted receiving the $4,000 from
Rebold, but said it was in considera-
tion of an oi lease which he sold to
the oil man. Governor Robertson
was paid one-third of the $25,OOO for
his interest in the lease, Dennis de-
clared.
A report of the house committee,
recommending impeachment, which
failed of adoption by a tie vote be-
fore the full house, declared the land
in question "was not worth 81 per
acre and that the sale Of the lease
~ any sale was made, was to cover
nm a corrupt transaction"
Rebold at the time asserted he paid
the $4,000 to Dennis for the ole
lease. but said he had never exam
- the pronerty and did not hold