New Britain herald., 1924-06-28
JUSTICE ISGU|LTY
 OF KEEPING FINES
Former Hampstead Official Con-
 ViCted in Court

Mineola, l.. l., June 2S.-Lewis NJ Raisig, former justice of the peace of Hampstead. was found guilty here yesterday afternoon of grand larceny and fnsappropriating funds as a pub lie officer. in failing to pay to the state treasury s5S0 collected as fines from speeders and other violators of | the highway laws. He was remanded for sentence to the county jail, where he joined Mayor William H. Reynolds, City Treasurer John Gracy and City Engineer George S. Vanderwerken, all of Long Beach, whose convictions preceded Raisig's as a result of the extraordinary grand jurys investiga- ton.
 i The jury deliberated two hours on l Raisig's case. When William M. Tompkins, a plumber. of East Will liston, as foreman of the jury an- nounced the verdict. he added that l the jury recommended clemency.
 "Gentlemen, you have rendered a service to the county" said Justice James V, tTOpSey.
 In giving his pedigree Raislg said he was AZ years old, was born in Jamaica avenue. Cedarhurst, and was newspaper publisher. He recently started weekly paper called The Peninsular News, covering Cedar hurst, Lawrence and nearby terri tory.
 Defense Objects to The Charge
 Justice Cropsey charged the jury in such a way that Raisig's counsel, Alexander l. Nova. protested that the court has exceeded its authority.
 Legally the situation here is just the same as if you gave somebody money to deposit in the bank" said Justice Cropsey. "It would be your money just the same"
 According to the law, Justice Crop sey went on, Raisig should have paid over the fines he collected to the state treasurer on the 10th of the month after he received them, The court pointed out that the evidence was that he had failed to do so.
 When it came to May g and his secretary had been subpoenaed be- fore the grand jury" the court con tinued. he did not have enough money to pay the state, and had to borrow it from his friend McNamara. Any public official who receives money on behalf of the state and wilfully omits 10 pay 1t, or refuses to pay 1t over to the states representatives, when 1t is his duty, imposed by law, to turn it over. is guilty of this of- fense of misappropriating funds by a public officer"
 When Justice Cronsey finished, MT Nova said:
 Your honor, except to the whole Of your charge. not so much because of the words you use as the manner in which you disscrtated and spoke of inc evidence in the case. You make references and convey the impres- sions that are beyond your province"
 Kenneth M. Spence, Deputy httor- ncy General, in summing up the eyl- dcnee presented by the state, said that if Raisig had not inappropriate ed the money collected for the state he would not have tn go and borrow iH iD lildhb AliF bflhlFu DhAUiFuls but would have been able to pay it from his own safe or trust fund &C., count
 "If he took 1t or spent it for house. hold expenses or some other pur- poses" said Mir. Spence then he stole the money"
 Blames Newspaper Clamor.
 MP Na4fa s,, ,t..s. the case against. Raisig would never have come up except for clamor in the newspapers as the result of the Nassau County investigation. He said that if was not unusual for Justices Of tho Peace to make deferred pay ments Of fines collected by thcm. and argued that evidence presented by the state showing that RaisiE sent reports to Albany and the Town Of Hemp stead Of the fines he collected long before paying them proved that he had no criminal intent.
 Raisig did not take inc stand. and his counsel offered no defense except the testimony of character witnesses several business men from Cedar hurst. who said Raisig had good reputation for honesty and truthful ness.
 Corporation Counsel Charles C. Clark Of Long Beach will go on trial next Monday. charged with unla wfnl acceptance Of st,010 fee from the City Of Long Beach as 2 public officer in addition to his regular salary.