Evening star., 1950-03-08
Prince Georges
Deputy Indicted
In Tax Evasion
R. E. Sheriff Owes
| Sl0,430 on Income,
U. S. Attorney Says


A Federal grand jury in Balti-
more yesterday indicted R. Earle
Sheriff for income tax evasion
from 1943 through 1916. while he
was the sheriff of Prince Georges
County.
The indictment charges that
Mr.. Sheriff evaded payment Of
$10,430.76 due the Government.
Just four hours before the in
dictment was made public Mr..
Sheriff resigned as the county's
chief deputy sheriff, an Office he
had held since 1916.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney Norman P. Ramsey and other
investigators told the grand jury
that Mr.. Sheriff had a net in
come of about $4,000 in the
four-year period. but reported
taxable income totaling approxi-
mately $500.
Salary Was S2,450.
County authorities reported
that in 1943-1945 the sheriff re-
ceived total salary of $2,450.
annually.
In l946 the sheriff's salary was
$2,7o0.
Office expenses in 1943-1945
totaled $4,000. In 1946 the ex-
penses amounted to $4,000. These
expenses were shared by all Off
cials for such work as transport
ing prisoners and mental patients.
Sheriff Refuses Comment.
Neither Mr.. Sheriff nor his
lawyer, Robert w. Mccullough,
would comment on the indict-
ment. The indicted mans superior
in Office, Sheriff T. Ward Martin,
reported that the deputy Informed
him Monday that he planned to
resign the next day. Mr.. Martin
said Mr.. Sheriff gave no explana-
ton.
The resignation was rendered
yesterday and Sheriff Martin ap-
pointed Robert c. Meredith, 60. of
1851 Allentown road, as the new
chief deputy. Mr.. Meredith re-
tired February % after 30 years
employment as ticket seller at the
Union Station. Formerly he was
a Hyattsville town councilman.
The investigators reported that
in 1916 Mr.. Sheriff received almost
$4,000 income, but reported on
only $3,278.29. They gave these
other figures:
For 1945, an income of $9,974.85
and report of $1,740.14; for 1914.
income of $7,569.59, and for 1943
an income of $9,891.97, with a re-
port of $1,700 for the two years.
Became Deputy in 1888.
The indicted man became dep
uty sheriff in 1888. He was elected
sheriff in 1912, but under Mary
land law was ineligible to run for
a second successive term. His Sue
cessor, Mr.. Martin, named him
chief deputy.
Mr.. Sheriff is 55 years old. He
is married and has two children.
His home is in Landover.
Formerly he was a partner in
the Dixie Pig Restaurant, at the
Peace Cross, Bladensburg. He sold
his interest in that establishment
about year ago.
The new deputy sheriff, Mr..
Meredith, so, is native of Louisa
County, Va. Formerly he lived in
Roanoke. Va, Bluefield, w. Va.
and Washington. He went to
Hyattsville in 1918 and moved to
the Allentown road address in
1912.
Liens Filed Against Plumer.
When the sheriff indictment
was made public, it was learned
that the Federal Government has
placed tax liens of $8,133.17
against former Mount Rainier
police chief and his wife.
The liens, covering the years
1945-48, were filed in Prince
Georges County Circuit Court
against Eugene and Lillian
Plumer, 1900 block of Russell ave-
nue., Mount Rainier.
Mr.. Plumer was police chief for
Is years. He was ousted last May
as one of the first acts of the ad-
ministratior of Mayor Herbert w.
Reichelt, -