Evening star., 1950-02-11
Lewis andBi|Ieci
Freed on Bond
.0fS25,0O0 Each
Out Pending Appeal
As Grand Jury Probes
Tompering Charges

William (Snags) Lewis and his
co-defendant, Frank Billeci, to-
day are out of jail on $25, 900
bond pending appeal on their con-
victions last month on gambling
charges.
Lewis who had been in District
jail awaiting outcome of his ap.
peal for bond, went free last night.
Billeci, who has been confined in
Lorton Reformatory at Occoquan,
was released about noon today.
A specially selected corporation
surety firm posted the bond for
both men. The appeals court had
ordered that the surety be posted
by a company approved by the
Treasury Department. The firm
is The Glens Falls Indemnity Co.,
of Glens Falls, N. Y.
AS they were released, a grand
jury probe of jury tampering
charges in the Lewis-Billeci case
was winding up it's first session.
The short, stocky Lewis, under
a 1O-to-30-month sentence for
lottery operation, walked unmen-
acled out Of the appeals court at
$50 pm. He waited patiently on
the courthouse steps, flanked by
a battery of lawyers, while pho
tographers snapped his picture.
Goes to Attorneys Office.
Piloted by the men who have
fought for his freedom under
bond, since his conviction two
weeks ago, Lewis walked across
the courtyard to the Fifth street
offices of his attorneys.
One of his lawyers, Bernard
Margolius, said Lewis was heading
straight for home to his family"
He lives at 4335 Blagden avenue
NV.
On his release the small, slender
Billeci told reporters:
"The first thing I'm going to do
is to shake Myron Ehrlich's hand.
(Mr. Ehrlich is his lawyerD Then
I'm going to get right home to the
wife and kiddies."
The grand jury hearing, mean
while, had ended on a tentative
note at about 6 pm. 9
Four Witnesses Called.
Among four witnesses called
during the two-hour session was
Benjamin Caldwell. colored, own
er of the Club Bali, 1901 Four
teenth street NV.
Mr.. Caldwell appeared under a
witness subpoena. His only par
ticipation in the proceedings was
to duck in and out of the jury
room three times. for a few Sec
onds each time. at the summons
OF Government prosecutors.
Between times, while seated
outside the room. his lawyer.
Henry Lincoln johnson, jr., hur-
ried up to him after being called
by friends. s..s-
What are you doing here" the
lawyer asked anxiously.
Il don't know whether I'm a
witness or arrested. I think I'm
arrested" Mr.. Caldwell replied.
Afterward. Mr.. johnson assured
Assistant United States Attorney
William Hitz that he would pro-
duce Mr.. Caldwell anytime you
want him" Mr. Hitz's comment
to reporters was that nobody is
under arrest"
Spectator at Trial.
In sidewalk interview later,
Mr.. Caldwell explained he had
been a spectator for two days at
the trial in which Lewis, Billeci
and Attilio sAcalotti were con-
victed. Mr.. Caldwell also said he
knew the defendants ''by reputa-
tion" and that Lewis was often a
patron at the Club Bali. He said
he had mo idea" on what basis
the Government summoned him
before the grand jury.
Other witnesses called were two
men, one of them wearing a worn
Army jacket and identifying him
self as George Walker" and a
woman. All were colored.
The jury fixing charge was
made by Judge Alexander Holtzoff
IL hours before the panel re-
turned the verdict. on which it
deliberated for 35 hours. A $500
bribe repeatedly was telephoned
one juror. Another said she was
asked in telephone call to be
lenient with Acalotti, and a third
woman reported she had received
phoned threats.
Acalotti Excluded.
The Lewis-Billeci bond order
was issued by Judges Wilbur K.
Miller, E. Barrett Prettyman and
James Proctor. Acalotti has been
from the bond question,
since he already was in jail serv-
ing eight months to two years
Tor threatening the Governments
chief witness in many of the cases
'temming from its anti-gambling
raids last spring. !
The appeals court offered no,
in its action. At the4
same time, however. the bench
advanced the appeal for hearing
On April 10 and ordered that de-
tense briefs be filed before
March 13.
Construction
0no EouvIh ecmnlo1oI