Evening star., 1938-12-21
Sentencing Of Z Men
Closes Liquor Tax
Conspiracy Case
Two RingIeoders Eoch
Given From 4 to
q Months

The huge liquor tax conspiracy
case, in which the Government
charged attempts to defraud it out
Of much revenue, was closed issue
today, following the sentencing in
District Court of dozen of those
involved and the shelving of charges
against five more, practically clear
ing up the docket, where IS persons
were indicted in one of the most
widespread of post-prohibition cases.
Fashionable Northwest residences
were used as fronts" by the outfit,
the Government charged.
Assistant United States Attorney
John w. Fihelly, who handled the
case for the Government, said today
there are three fugitives from justice
In the case-Steve Cassassa, Joseph
Nesline and Sharye Bassin
Sentenced yesterday by Justice
Bolitha ]. Laws in District Court to
serve from four to 18 months was
Harry Behrle, convicted a year ago
OF a perjury charge, for which he
Is now serving time, growing out of
the shooting of John E. O'Brien in
what the prosecutor described as a
bootleggers' war.
Sentences Are Melted.
The alleged ringleaders in the case
Irving Rosenberg and Nathan Co.'S
man-were each given from four to
23 months, while Ralph Marcontoni
was given from four to 18 months
and Nazzereno Magnatera was given
from four to 16 months yesterday by
Justice Laws. Probation was given
Quilo Quattrini, sentenced to from
four months to two years.
Paul S. Barnes, Frederick johnson
and Harold j. Sweeney were given
from four to 18 months and then
placed on probation. Thomas Levine
was sentenced to from three to five
months. Ralph Brannum was given
four months to one year and then
placed on probation. Mr.. Fihelly
said Burt ]. Watson, who was a
Government witness in the OBrien
cases. was given from four to 18
months.
Yesterday the Government nolle
pressed charges against the follow
ing: Constance Marcontonl, John
Della Gatta, Lawrence Hall, Cor
bin Shields and Helen j. Levine.
Mr.. Fihelly explained that they
played only minor roles in the case
and those who were placed on pro-
baton had no prior records.
Indictments against the Is de-
PENDANTS were returned by a Dis
trlct Court grand jury in May, fol-
lowing raids on homes in the 1900
block OF Madison street NV, the
1900 block of Farragut street NV.
and the 5000 block of Chevy Chase
parkway NV, which the Govern
ment charged the liquor conspira-
tors used as the bases of their oper-
ations.
650-Gallon Still Seized.
Mr.. Fihelly said that what prob
ably was the largest still ever seized
IN Washington-with a capacity of
$50 gallons-was taken at the Madl-
son street address. The gang also
had 300-gallon still, 4O5 gallons OF
untaxed whisky, 1850 gallons of
mash and q 60-gallon drums full
Of mash, Mr.. F1helly declared. Other
equipment was later uncovered.
Raids were conducted in January,
February and April on the Madison
street house, that at Farragut street
and that at Chevy Chase parkway,
respectively, the prosecutor recalled.
Leading to the downfall OF the gang
were large purchases of yeast and
sugar. The members represented
themselves as bakery concerns in
Maryland, officials asserted.
Federal Tax Agent E. P. Gill di-
rected the rounding up of the gang,
assisted by other Federal officers
and District police. Eight of the
defendants pleaded guilty about two
weeks ago, while five previously en-
tered guilty pleas and are either
serving time or have completed their
sentences.