Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-24
.Jury's Graft Charges
Repot on Williams Given Governor

aforementioned period OF tifnf
corruptIy and unlswfully use his
vote, Influence, opinion and
Judgment in favor Of awarding
said contracts 10 said persons or
firms.
IL further find that in pur-
suance Of said unlawful agree
ments Williams did designate
Richie A. his agent 10 receive
payments under said unlawful
agreements; that on numerous
occasions during said sforemen-
toned period Williams informed
Richie that he. needed money
and instructed Richie not To
take any money from the en-
ploSes' fund, but TO 20 forth
and shake the bushes
THAT in pursuance Of such in
structiOns, Richie did contact
the aforementioned persons and
firms, their servants or agents.
and did collect and receive from
them during said period of time
the total amount OF approx
mateiy $4,000: that Ritchie did
pay the amount Of money so
collected and received Ia VIII
liams.
further find that Williams,
during the period Of time from
ahns1t the NJ
January, 1884, 10 on or about
the tenth day Of December.
l94I. did enter into certain un-
lawful agreements with Nathan
lei o. Gould. an architect. hired
by the board Of county auditors.
THAT the unlawful agree
rfeHt~ provided for h pay
ment by Gould 10 Williams, Of
the sum Of $1,000 a year over
the aforesaid period for his vote
and influence in favor OF the
hiring Of Gould.
$4,000 PAYMENTS
THAT in pursuance of said
unlawful agreement, Williams
did corruptIy and unlawfully
accept and receive said pay
ments from Gould In the total
amount of approx mat y
$4,000.
II further find that II was
and il the agreement that each
Of the three members Of the
board Of county auditors Of
Wayne County shall nominate
and appoint one-third of the
number Of employees Of the
County OF Wayne under I he
supervision and control Of the
board at county auditors OF
Wayne County.
II futher find from the sworn
testimony introduced before me
that in the year 1888, after the
election OF Williams 10 he
board of county auditors, VIII
liamS did enter into certain un-
lawful agreements with Sam
LeNe and numerous other per-
sons Ia make appointments and
nominations 10 positions a. en-
pIoNes Of the county In con
sideration of the payment 81
certain money therefore by nu-
merous persons through Leve
a agent for Williams.
SALE or JOBS
II further find that Williams.
In the furtheranCe Of said un%
lawful agreements. did appoint
numerous persons 10 positions as
employees Of the County Of
WAYNE in consideration of the
payment 10 him of the aggregate
sum OF $685. for the sale Of
jobs In the office of the board
of county auditors for Wayne
County. which aforesaid amount
Of money was appropriated by
Williams. augmenting his income
for his personal use.
I'm conformity with my duty.
~ set forth in Section l72lS of
the compiled laws of the State
of Michigan. 1929. I make these
findings of probable cause TO be
Iieve that Williams has been
guilty Of misfeasance and NAL
feasance Of office. Wilful neglect
OF duty and official misconduct,
and other grounds Of removal as
herein before set forth.
II therefore recommend that
YOU take all necessary legal
steps TO remove Williams from
office Of member or The board
of county auditors for Wayne
County.
Homer Ferguson.
Circuit Judge acting under
sections l72l1 and l12lS COM
piled laws of 1929.
Approved: William r.. Dow
ling. prosecutor for the County