Evening star., 1952-03-15

President Truman. took the de-
Picture on Pose AZ.
cision quietly, but members of his
family appeared stunned.
The verdict came at 1:18 am.
(EST after nine hours of delib-
Grafton.
United States District Judge
Rubey NJ. Hulen will pronounce
sentence March "a. Maximum
penalty under the conviction is
four years in prison and $4,000
in fines.
Finnegan's attorneys said today
they will file a motion for a new
trial on or before March "a, add
ing that an appeal will be taken
If a new trial is denied. Mean
time the Federal grand jury which
indicted Finnegan will continue
It's inquiry into his official conduct.
Took Outside Funds.
The counts under which Finne-
gan was found guilty involved
acceptance of $1,000 from the
Warwick Hotel Corp. for helping
the firm in a claim against the
Coast Guard for damage during
World War II occupancy, and for
taking $1,000 from the American
Lithofold Corp. TO- represent the
st. Louis printing firm in con-
nection with a Reconstruction FL
nance Corp. loan.
The jurors found that Finnegan,
by accepting these sums, violated
q Federal law prohibiting officers
and employees from taking COM
pensation from outside parties to
represent them before Govern
ment agencies,
In his defense testimony Finne-
gan denied he had represented
either Arm In connection with
Government matters. adding he
received the money for outside
work which he did for the COM
pa1iies.
Accepted Two Checks.
The bribery counts from which
he was freed involved the now
defunct Karol Kell Garment Co.
The Government charged he
took two $3.50 checks from the
firm to influence his decision in
the company's tax troubles The
Government also contended that
Finnegan received $641 worth of
furniture to help Karol Kell with
an RFC loan application.
The neatly attired Finnegan was
seated at the counsel table as the
verdict was read.
He gripped his hands tightly,
then rested his head on his left
hand. He quickly gained control
of himself and thanked his at
torneys.
Judge Hulen told the jurors he
considered their verdict sensible
and intelligent"
Free ON $4,000 Bail.
The ex-collector, who resigned
last April while Investigations Of
his Office were underway, will re-
main free under $1,000 bond until
sentenced.
Finnegan is the second former
tax collector convicted Of illegal
acts while performing Federal
duties.
Denis w. Delaney, former col
lector at Boston. was sentenced
January 20 to two years in prison
and fined $10.500 for bribery and
mishandling of tax cases.
A third collector. James G..
Smyth Of San Francisco, is under
indictment on charges Of temper
ing with income tax returns to
defraud the Government.
+ Named by Roosevelt.
Four other collectors have
been dismissed or resigned under
pressure.
Finnegan was appointed to the
SO. .000-a-year post by the late
President Roosevelt in 1874.
When Judge Hulen instructed
the jurors yesterday, he warned: !:
II have no hesitation to say
II think that certain witnesses
In this case have testified falsely.
1.-THE defendants testimony is
to be treated like that of any
other witness. It rests with the
| jury to determine whether he
told the truth. and in weighing
the testimony the jury should
take into consideration the great
S~ - ~. 81