The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-26
ney Ralph Coppeto, a defendant, fo being tardy.
Approved at Any Time

u6ulB Laroy, .ss4 Y ls+t
 Approved at Any Time
 In answer to question by Sea- man. concerning warrants payable sheets for 1881, which were unsigned, Brown said that 1t would be just as proper for Seaman to say that all the items, regardless of date had been approved, as it was for Brown himself to say that they had not been approved. Brown indicated that the items might have been ap- proved at any time, in view of the absence of the date from the sheets.
 Brown also admitted that some payments to Coppeto in 1881, "so far as the information here now ap- pears" were regular.
 Based On Similarity
 Many of the payments listed by Brown as having been made to Cop peto, he admitted, were based on 8 similarity" of other amounts paid to the accused.
 Where in, your judgment would you stop adding similar amounts?" asked Seaman. Brown replied that he would have to study the items, {. but in his judgment. would add at least 50 per cent of similar items to the account.
 Are you willing, as a c. P. A., to accept these adding machine tapes . made by man who purports to , run up items from a record six years old-with nothing on the sheet to refresh his memory or recall the { incident for which it was prepared g--are you willing to accept that sand from it draw conclusions that any individual received that ! sinoney?" asked Seaman, adding the | remark, Under oath as an &C., countant."
 Also Kept By Purcell {: Previously, Brown had said that of $27,141.75 listed on the tapes as : payments for 1882, he had checked {. $7,826.25 through cash reconciliation sheets, also kept by Purcell. { 1T have not accepted the adding machine tapes solely" said Brown. T have proven it with the identi- fication of bank records" { AS an accountant who has used an adding machine considerably Brown said that usually he throws away his sheets .when they have served their purpose.
 Questioned on Trucks
 Near the close of the morning Seaman's query as to whether regarding truck nIre Of the city of Waterbury.
 "Do you know that the city hired as many as 60 trucks at time?" he asked.
 q don't know it," responded Brown, But the records were destroyed. I know they paid for ap- picximately 60 trucks week in and week out-whether the trucks were actually engaged in any work I don't know."
 Questioned further on the same trend of thought, Brown replied again, T won't say they hired them. I will only say that the payments went through"
 All such questions lead up to session, Seaman questioned Brown some of the payments listed on Purcells adding machine tapes might not have referred to a truck CT other than Coppeto.
 ''No" replied Brown, T believe in the accuracy of the sheet because checked it back and forth so many times. I believe the items on the sheet went either to Philip Coppeto or the Abrigador Digger"
 Coppeto Reprimanded
 Attorney Ralph Coppeto, one of the g defendants on trial, was sternly reprimanded by Judge Inglis this morning as the 79th session, the concluding day of the 24th week of the trial was opened.
 At 10 o'clock, when Judge 1nglis asked if all the defendants were present, a deputy sheriff answered that MT. Coppeto was absent.
 A few minutes later, MT. Coppeto entered the courtroom, and started to walk to his seat. Attorney John H. Cassidy of the defense staff stopped him and advised him to apologize to the court for being late.
 "I'm sorry, your honor" he said quietly.
 Sternly, Judge Inglis asked: "What is your reason, MT. Cop peto?"
 My watch says just 10 o'clock, responded MT. Coppeto. He started toward the bench as he said, "Ill show it to your honor"
 But Judge Inglis halted him say ing, "It's happened several times before-not recently, but I want you to be careful it doesn't happen again"