Evening star., 1950-04-11
Sheriff
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to revenue agents examining the
former officers accounts.
ut is true" Judge Chestnut
said, that this defendant is here
on charges of tax evasion.
But here is a man who has held
high political office in his county,
one charged with enforcement of
the laws of his State and county
and one who also is an official
of the courts. AS I see it, the
monetary element is of much less
Importance than the principle in
volved in the sources and nature
OF his income"
Denies Fraud Intent.
The judge said it is up to Prince
Georges County to consider the
implications of the protection
money.
Sheriff's Attorney Robert w.
Mccullough, insisted that the
money was considered as gifts. )"
He said:
"Mr. Sheriff was under the i'm
preston that he did not have to
pay any tax on these gifts to him.
When advised of his responsible
ties in this connection he pleaded
guilty to the charges and paid
the tax claimed"
Earlier Mr. Mccullough had
said that Sheriff had no inten-
tion of defrauding the Govern
ment.
Friends Write to Judge.
Before the sentencing Judge
Chestnut disclosed he had received
numerous letters from friends and
acquaintances of the defendant
attesting to his popularity in
Prince Georges County and speak
ing of him favorably in other re-
spects. One citizen wrote, how
ever. that the county is concerned
about the implications of the case,
with reference to the
protection money.
The court also had before it
report of its probation officer,
John F. Lands, which stated that
Sheriff's home life is good, he is
popular with acquaintances and
has reputation for friendliness.
Just before passing sentence.
Judge Chestnut asked Sheriff if
he had anything to say. The de-
fendant rose and said his attorney
had outlined his position well.
Sheriff Asks Mercy.
He looked straight at Judge
Chestnut and implored his mercy.
Sheriff was connected with the
sheriffs Office for a dozen years,
starting in 1888. First he was a
deputy. Then he was elected to
a four-year term in 1912 and took
office in January. 1943. The
sheriff cannot succeed himself, so
Sheriff became a deputy when his
term ran out at the end of 1916.
He resigned as a deputy on
March 7, few hours before the
Federal grand jury here in
dicted him.
During his four years as sheriff,
his salary averaged $2,324-not
counting the salary of an Office
girl and others expenses he was
required to meet from his legal
pay.
S43,634 Actual Pay Charged.
This would come to S9.312 for
the four-year period. He reported
taxable income of $8,418 for the
four years.
The Government charged he
actually got $43.634 in those four
years. In 1916, it said. he re-
ported taxable income of $3.278
but actually got approximately
$17,0OO.
In a review of the Government s
evidence last week, Mr.. Ramsey
quoted Sheriff as telling the rev.
enue agents that the money sent
him by gamblers was delivered by
persons unknown to Sheriff in
sealed, brown envelopes. Mr.
Ramsey also quoted the defend
ant as saying he did not know
the identity of the gamblers who
sent the gifts
The Government said the
against found more than $4,000
in Sheriff's safe deposit box in an
Upper Marlboro bank. 1t con-
tended that this was a part of
$4,000 Sheriff admitted receiv-
ing from bookmakers, numbers
racketeers and other gambling
elements.