New Britain herald., 1930-06-25
BANKRUPTCY RING'
 PLAYED BY CASALE IN GE0RGES' CASE
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had collected money due him after appointment Of trustee !n bank ruptcy had been made. The amounts totalled between $50 and S70, Five other counts in the indictment al- legged that he gave false testimony at the hearing before the referee in bankruptcy. also that he concealed assets and falsifed his records At torney Cohen nolled all the counts with the exception Of the one to which the plea was made.
 Sued for S25 OOo in 1928
 Attorney Casale. addressing the court. said Georges was 32 years of age and the father of three children. He started in the Jewerly business in New Britain in 1920 and in 1928 an automobile registered in hls name was involved in an accident, with the result that he was sued for s25,000 and his business was attach ed. Georges was not in the car Tt the time, Attorney Casale said, but the accident was the beginning Of his trouble, for numerous creditors took action against him after the ac- ton was brought and after he had succeeded in obtaining q release of the attachment. his store was closed again because of the lawsuits insti- tuted.
 Several attorneys in Hartford and New Britain tried 70 persuade Georges to go into bankruptcy early tn 1929 but he would not do SO" Attorney Casale said. So they hl2d all involuntary petition and forced him in He was trying 10 raise enough money to effect settlement Of 35 per cent but failed and then he was led to believe. by officers of the court, I nm sorry to say, that he could make ., settlement. Of IS per cent If he would follow their ad- vice"
 Prisoner In Tears
 Georges, vno vas standing at At torney Casale's elbow. broke down and sobbed at this juncture holding h.s head in his hands while the tears streamed down his face, Please try 10 control yourself, the attorney requested. and Judge Bur rows told Georges he might be seat ed if he wished
 Continuing, Attorney Casale said Georges retained an attorney in New Britain whose name has not yet been brought into this case" ani finally the prosecution in six counts brNupHs 'r h a fc guilty of any of these things He was vIctHiz.d by the so-callad bankruptcy ring which is reputed 10 be operating in Hartford county" After the lawyers were through wl,h the estate, theve was only Sl,7no left Of s5,000 assets for distribution among the creditors. The rest WIS eaten up by expenses Why these conditions are allowed to exist I do not know. This man has lost every- thing, his home in New Britain and what is dearer to all Of US, his good name"
 Says Ofense Was Not Wilful
 That Georges was technically guilty of the charge Of collecting money due his estate, Attorney Casale said there was no doubt, but he certainly had not tcen wilful, for he had numerous opportunities to accept larger amounts tan those which he actually took from debtors and did not do 70. The money he actually accepted was latcy turned over 10 the trustee. as proven by two checks presented 10 the court. At the most, Attorney Casalo con- tended. the violation vas of the word and not the spirit, of the bankruptcy act. There are lots of things about this case-wel, the less said the better. l. makes me glad l have little to do with bank ruptcy,' he said. Before corcluding he commented Attorney Cohen for the careful preparation he had made Of the case and expressed the hope that the court would act in the same fair.nlinded manner by suspending judgment
 Attorney Cohen replied briefly, calling the attention ot the court to the fact that Georges hnaw what he was about when he received the money and there was violation Of the law before the court 10 be pun ished as an example 10 oth CTS
 Suggests Casalc Give Facts
 Judge Barrows made reference 10 Attorney Casales charges that of- fcers of the court were engaging in practices which should not be countenanced. and said counsel should make known specifically what was meant if the court was 10 be expected to take notice of them. The bankruptcy act is not a per feet machine" he said. as condi- tons throughout the United States