Evening star., 1951-05-03
'JonkeI Free on Bond
After Baltimore jury
Returns Presentments
By W. H. Shippen

4 Jon M. Jonkel, 35, was at liberty
under $4,000 bond today after a
Igrand jury in Baltimore returned
five "presentments" against him
lin connection with his manage
ment of Senator Buffers success
lful campaigns in Maryland last
fall.
/ Indictments based upon the
Ijury's findings probably will be
reported out today. according to
States Attorney Anselm Sodaro.
The prosecution against Mr.. JON
kel was described as unusual in
Maryland.
The grand jury charged the
, former Chicago public relations
|, man with:
l. Not being a citizen and resi-
dent of Maryland and acting as
political agent for Mr.. Butler
without being duly appointed to
that position by Mr.. Butler for
the primary election last Sep
tember 18.
2. A charge similar to the first
except that it applies to the gen.
eral election of November Z.
8. Failing or refusing to file a.
true, detailed account of all
monies collected. received and dis
bursed for Mr.. Butler during the
primary.
4. A charge similar to the third
except that it applies to the gen.
eral election.
5. Failing or refusing to keep,
provide and preserve detailed, full
and accurate accounts of all
money received and disbursed in
both campaigns while acting as
political agent for Mr.. Butler.
Witness at Senate Probe.
Mr.. Jonkel, who established a
legal residence in Washington
after helping Mr.. Butler, a Re
publican, defeat his Democratic |
opponent, Millard E. Tydings,
was one Of the principal witnesses /
at the lengthy Senate hearing
into Mr.. Tydings' charges that
he was the victim of a campaign /
OF moral squalor."
Mr.. Jonkel posted bond through
professional bondsman and told
reporters that his testimony be-
fore the Senators shows he had
no intention of violating any elec-
ton statutes. Mr.. Jonkel. like
Senator Butler. is a newcomer to
politics.
Whatever he did, Mr.. Jonkel
said. occurred amid the pressures
OF the campaign and with no
working knowledge of the statutes
involved" He added any viola
tons which may have resulted are /
OF technical" nature.
The offenses named in the pre- |
sentiments are misdemeanors un- |
der Maryland's Corrupt Practices |
Act, each Of which carries a maxi 1
mum penalty of two years and a |
fine of $1,000.
Mr.. Jonkel probably will be
scheduled for trial in about two
weeks under normal procedure in
the Baltimore courts. Senator
Butler refused to comment.
Never Reported Some Funds.
The campaign manager received
and spent more than $4,000 in
the closing days of the campaign
which was never reported to the
treasurer. He explained he did
this to keep bill collectors "off
my neck"
Senator Monroney, Democrat
OF Oklahoma, who presided at the
public inquiry, said the subcommit-
tee had examined Mr.. Jonkels
personal bank records in Illinois
and Texas but they showed mo ac-
tlvity bearing on the campaign. 4"
Mr.. Jonkel closed his public re-
lations office in Chicago last July
to take a $1,250-a-month Job with
Mr.. Butler, first as publicity di-
rector and later as campaign man
ager.
His employment ended two days
after the November z election.
Since that time Mr.. Jonkel has
been residing in Washington.