The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-06-06
ATTORNEY GENERAL
ADMITS, HOWEVER,
n. D. LOST NOTHING
Small Fine Is Based on Fact
That Law Violation Was
Harmless
SPENT MONEY FOR STATE
Attorneys For Prosecution and
Defense Join in State
tnent to Court

G. Angus Fraser. former adjutant
general Of North Dakota, pleaded
guilty In Burleigh county district court
Tuesday forenoon to two charges of
obtaining money by false pretenses
from the state but showed he had
mot defrauoed the state out of one
penny in these two cases.
James M. Hanley. counsel for
Fraser, in arguments before Judge
Fred Jansonius showed that Fraser
was guilty of the counts only tech
nicall:. in that he had not listed ex-
penditures properly on vouchers.
Hanley further showed. with de-
tailed accounts Of Fraser's expenses,
that the former adjutant general,
who served the state In that capacity
for Is years, spent all money he re-
ceived from the state in the cases in
question in the interests of the state.
Attorney General A. j. Gronna told
Judge Jansonius he had every reason
to believe that Hanley's statements
were true and declared that ANY
reasonable-minded man" could find
that Fraser had not defrauded the
state.
Fined Total Of S27S.74
Acting upon Attorney General
Gronna's recommendation, Judge jan
sonius did not commit fraser to Jail
but on the two charges fined him a
total Of $278.74 and costs totaling
<2l 80. ,----.-,.. -,..,.-,#-.--.s
Two warrants charging him with
obtaining money under false pre-
lenses were issued for Fraser Feb. IL,
and. the former adjutant general
came to Bismarck from Fargo the
following day voluntarily to face the
charges Acting Adjutant General
Herman A. Brocopp, who succeeded
Fraser in January, signed the COM
plants.
Fraser was charged with obtaining
1892 for two weekly payrolls at Camp
Grafton at Devils Lake in 1882 and
with obtaining $l98.73 in expenses for
trip which he took in the interests
of the state to Chicago, Jackson,
Miss, Baton Rouge, and New Or
leans, La, and Washington, D. c., in
the fall OF 1881.
He resigned as member of the
capitol commission in January when
testimony was given before the legis-
lative investigating committee that
he had presented more than one ex-
pense account for the long trip.
On the charge In connection with
the trip, Fraser was fined $268.74 and
costs Of $1,000. On the other count
he was fined $40 and costs of $1,000.
Judge Jansonius said an alterna-
tive to paying the fine would be serv-
ing 60 days in the county jail.
Fraser paid the fine.
Gr0nna Recommends Fine
Gronna explained that in the first
case the only item in which violation
of the law was charged was for
$89.58 for railroad fare. He recon-
mended the maximum fine, three
times the amount involved. He made
no recommendation in the other case.
Gronna said the falsity of Fraser's
vouchers was more one of form than
of substance" declaring that for the
whole trip Of $500 miles over 81
day period the defendant had received
only $6l8.91, which was LESS than 10
cents per mile with no charges made
for meals or lodging
In the other case. Gronna said,
Fraser spent all Of the money in the
states interests though he incorrectly
said on the voucher the money had
been spent for labor. Some of the
money was spent for labor but most
of 1t was spent for other items, the
attorney general said.
Gronna explained the voucher for
the trip was incorrect in that Fraser
had not made the trip by rail but
by automobile. He went to Chicago
as a member Of the state capitol
commission and proceeded to jack
son, Miss, where, as a capitol COM
missioner. he inspected the Missis-
sippi state capitol building.
From there he went to Baton
Rouge to inspect the Louisiana state
capitol building and then. as adjutant
general, he proceeded to New Or
leans to attend convention OF Ma
tional Guard officials. AS a member
Of the Missouri River Diversion COM
Continued on Page Nine)