Evening star., 1951-03-13
'Dugan andChew
Jury
To Be Asked to Show
Cause Why They
Should Not Be Ousted
By Alex R. Preston

AIlLIlStOu ClTCulC court WILL
order two members Of the County
Board to show cause why they
should not be ousted from office
as recommended by a grand jury.
Custer proceedings against
Daniel A. Dugan. Independent,
and F. Freeland Chew. Democrat.
were initiated yesterday when pre-
sentiments against them were re-
turned by the grand jury.
Each official is charged with
misfeasance, malfeasance and
gross neglect of his official duty.
Both denied the charges.
An indictment was returned
against Sam Lano, pinball and slot
machine operator of nearby Vir-
ginia and Maryland, on a charge
Of perjury. Lano was said to have
falsely denied that he had given
Mr.. Dugan expensive shirts, ties
and cuff links as a birthday gift
at a party In Lano's home last
year.
No Evidence Against Police.
The jurors began their inquiry
into police activities on February
10 and reported to Judge William
D. Medley they could find no evi-
dence of dishonest behavior, such
as tip-offs. pay-offs. etc., on the
part Of members of the Police De-
partment."
The presentment against Mr..
Dugan. former board chairman,
accuses him of being an "inti-
mate acquaintance" of Lano and
OF aiding. abetting and counseling
violations of the gambling laws.
It says that Mr.. Dugan was a
frequent guest in Lano's home
along with Joseph Leib. one Of
three members of a Police In
vestigating Committee appointed
by the County Board last May.
Lano, the jurors say, gave a
bad check to the Service Tire
Corp. for three television sets last
year and when the manager COM
planned to Mr.. Dugan, Lano made
payment ION account" with a $3.50
check signed by Malcolm B.
Devers.
Founder of School.
Mr.. Devers is founder and pres
ident of the Congressional School,
a private co-educational institu-
ton for children near. Fort Myer
and in Alexandria. r
In the presentment against Mr..
Chew, the board member Is ac-
cused of accepting q television
set as a gift from Mr.. Devers with
the implied understanding that
his vote -. would be affected
favorably to the said Malcolm B.
DeverS :"
Mr.. Chew, also former chair
man of the board. issued the
following statement:
Some one has walked head-on
into a $4,000 lawsuit. That is
the value I place on my reputation
by honesty In public Office.
"The whole story about me is a
damnable lie. I paid every dollar
of the cost. of my television, Just
like every one else. In my 16
years Of public Office. have never
accepted nor been offered a gift
of any description by any living
soul. :"
Mr.. Dugan also denied charges
against him, branding the action
political trickery."
Hand Picked Jury"
This is a hand-picked grand
jury composed of at least three Of
my most bitter political enemies"
he said. "It is an obvious smear
campaign by Rucker because he
knew of no other method to get
me off the County Board except
by this method"
His reference was to Common
wealth's Attorney Denman T.
Rucker who, like Mr.. Chew and
Alfred E. Frisbie. the minority
board members, is a Democrat.
Mr.. Leib and Mr.. Devers, could
not be reached for comment.
Under Virginia law, custer pro-
ceedings against elected officials
are returned by presentments, or
"informations." The courts must
issue a rule forthwith" for the
accused to appear and show cause
why he should not be removed
from Office. The judge can sus-
pend the officials.
Committee Criticized Police Chief.
The presentment accuses Mr..
Dugan of being aware of Mr.. Leib's
alleged intimate relationship"
with Lano but of failing to inform
other members of the, county
board or of the Police Investigat-
ing Committee of this.
The Police Investigating Com
mittee made a report September 8
which was critical of the county
manager and the police chief.
Mr.. Chew and Mr.. Dugan usual
ly vote on opposite sides of con-
troversial issues that come before
the board.
The grand jurors listed eight
specifications against Mr.. Dugan
yesterday. each charging mall
feasance, misfeasance and gross
neglect Of duty. They charge that
Mr.. Dugan recommended Mr.. Leib
to the investigating committee
and permitted Mr.. Leib to con-
tinue to serve during the investi-
cation without disclosing Mr..
Leib's alleged intimate" associa-
ton with Lano. One specification
accuses Mr.. Dugan Of an "inti-
mate relationship with Lano."
The jurors say Mr.. Dugan rec
Francis Griffith Of
Alexandria to Lano for employ