Evening star., 1923-06-28
MEN WHO CHEATED
PRIEST FACE TRIAL
Evidence Shows Companies
Organized to SWindIe
Mgr. O'Brien.

Prosecution of wildcat stock sales
men who cheated Mgr. James VI.
O'Brien. former pastor Of st. Peters
Church. out of more than $150,000 in
personal and church funds, is being
considered by legal representatives
Of Mgr. O'Brien, it was learned today
The only deterrent to prosecution
Immediately is the condition of the
priest in st. Agnes Hospital. in Bal
timore, because. since he would be
the prosecuting witness Of the great
nervous condition would prevent his
appearance on the stand.
Priest Taken Sick.
From attorneys for the priest 1t
was learned that several months ago
the situation was placed before Chief
William j. Burns of the bureau of in
yestigation of the Department of JUS
tice, with a request that action be
taken. Before the case could reach
court dockets Mgr. O'Brien had been
taken to st. Agnes Hospital in state
of nervous prostration, augmented by
a partial paralysis resulting from a
stroke a few years ago.
1t was stated definitely today that
prosecution would be attempted just
as soon as the condition of Mgr
O'Brien would justify it.
Has Cancelled Checks.
In the hands Of attorneys for the
priest are cancelled checks covering
a period of more than three years
amounting to approximately $4,000
which would gladly be given away
for a few thousand dollars that rep
resent the proceeds from the invest
ments Documents showing that at
least two companies were organized
for the special benefit of Mgr. O'Brien
these companies it is disclosed that
he was it's president. Another COM
pany carried the name of Mgr.
OBrien as treasurer.
A former Army officer, who left
Washington early this year. obtained
about $4,000 from Mgr. OBrien for
Investment in a company which he
was promoting Cancelled checks for
$31.00 and a note for $4,000 are held
as evidence Of this fact by the attor-
neys. The legal advisers state also
that the books Of the company which
this former Army officer represented
showed credit for only $4,000 on Mgr.
OBrien's account, although the
checks showed cancellation, with in
dorsement of the man to whom they
were given.
Cashed Same Day.
Mauy VI lhcSc CuSCh6 were CdSnSQ
on the same day that they were writ
ten.
1t was made clear today that the
dealings of Mgr. OBrien were within
his province as pastor of the church.
BY Catholic procedure, the pastor, in
O church. is allowed to invest funds
of the parish. at his discretion. The
re turn from the investments, it was
shown by the books of the former
pastor, was to have been turned over
to the church, and the investments
made with church funds were not to
have accrued to the personal benefit
of the pastor.
BY deciding his property in West
Virginia to the church through trus-
tees several months ago, it was stated
today, Mgr. O'Brien sought to clear
his account in so far as church funds
which had been lost by unfortunate
investment were concerned. The deed
carried S76 worth of revenue stamps,
w which are rated at 81 per 81 900 va1ua-
tfon OF property. This property is
now being held by trustees as church
property and the return from it Is to
be placed to the credit Of the church.