The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-28
More City Invoices Are Presented As Evidence Bv Prosecutor Alcorn
Coppeto Brothers Are Implicated By Alcorn
Over S5OOOO Alleged Paid to Abrigador Digger Firm in Four Years Time-AIcorn Makes
 That Allegation
By JOSEPH P. DONAHUE Democrat Stan Reporter)

Evidence purporting to show payments amount ing to $54 89225 to the Abrgador Diggers during va rious months of the years 1884 through 1887 was n troduced at the Waterbury conspiracy trial today as Special Prosecutor Hugh M. Alcorn concentrated on charges of conspiracy against Philip Coppeto ana Attorney Ralph Coppeto, whom the grand jury charges were engaged in the operation of the Abrga dor Digger.
 Adding Machines Barred Out
 An attempt to place in evidence adding machine tapes which Witness James P Purcell claims will show payments to Coppeto and the Abrigador Dig ger Go. during 1881 and 1882 failed when Attorney Josiah H. Peek counsel for Daniel J. Leary contended that there might be duplication with the 1881 war rants payable register already in evidence.
 Demands Board of Finance
 The opening of the 18th week of the trial of 2s men or conspiracy charges the 40th session of the trial was featured by demand of Attorney Sidney S. Casse Coppeo brothers that the Board of Finance be brought the trial for testimony related to warrants payable registers and city bills which may may not have been approved by them. Many finance board commis- soners have been notified that they will be called m the immediate future by the state
 Duplicate Checks Vouchers
 Duplicate checks vouchers and purchase orders admitted to evidence after being identified by the witness Purcell on the stand the 10th consecutive day. as in favor of Coppeto and the Abrigador Dggers
 Correct Name Abrgador Digger
 Attorney Casse pointed out today that Special Prose- cutor Acorn reference to the firm Abrigador Diggers was erroneous and that the proper title Abrgador Digger the singular The payments to Coppeto according to the records admitted today for use of trucks steam shovel and compressor.
 Favored Group of Contractors Throughout last weeks session, Acorn concentrated on payments made to Frank (Burns) Santauca by the city, which Purcell described uapproved by the Board of Finance The total payments according to evidence presented amounted to 128,84o.98 Burns" is con- tractor
 Philip Coppeto 33, of $40 Baldwin street. according to references of the Waterbury Grand Jury of favored group of contractors and truckers from 1882 through 1885,
 What Grand Jury Stated
 The grand jury's report stated: Between the years 1882 and 1885 the city paid according to available records at least $21,75499 to Philip Coppeto During the same year Coppeto also did business the Abrgador Digger and under this he received according to avalapie records, at least, $62l ,23747.
 One Coppeto Missing at Start
 When Coppeto sought as a grand jury witness, March 25, 1888, he was declared missing From that time to June following the issuance of tne warrano this country Italy and Mexico He never admitted where he was during the period of the investigation.
 Attorney Advised His Brother
 Concerning Attorney Ralph Coppeto, who was also mentioned prominently by Special Prosecutor Acorn toda the grand jury said Engaged in ths enterprise wo o apparently shared in these payments from the city"
 In warrant the attorney is also charged with cou selling his brother flee the Jurisdiction during the grano Both are represented by Attorney Sidney g. Cassel
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