Evening star., 1954-09-22
Three Suspects
Still Sought in
Bribery Case
Tenth, on Probation
In 1853 GombIino
Conviction, Gives Up

Police officials today were
awaiting the apprehension or
voluntary surrender of three
more alleged gamblers for whom
bribery warrants have been is
sued in the protection payoff
investigation.
Late yesterday afternoon
Mitchell D. Zazanis, Al, gave
himself up through his lawyer,
John J. Donnelly. to become the
10th alleged gambler in custody
in the case, in which two vet
efan police officers also are in
volved.
Zazanis, whom the morals
squad said was involved in a
charge of setting up a gaming
table in 1858, was listed by po-
lice as living at an address in
the 5000 block of H street Sc.
However. resident at the ad-
dress said he no longer was
known there.
Released in $500 Bond.
United States Commissioner
Cyril S. Lawrence ordered bond
of $500 for Zazanis at a pre-
liminary hearing shortly after
his arrest by a United States
marshal, and Zazanis posted the
bond and was released for fur
ther hearing October 6.
On probation from the prior
gambling conviction, Zazanis
was specifically accused of pass
ing a $100 bribe to 1t. Todd
Thoman on July 20, 1854. 1t.
Thoman of the gambling squad
posed as a bribe-accepting po-
lice officer for 10 months to aid
in breaking the case. Chief of
Police Robert v. Murray and
United States Attorney Leo
Rover directed him to do so.
The others who are wanted
on bribery warrants, according
to Mr.. Rover. are Burnie King,
colored, Joseph Hurd and Albert
(Real Estate) Smith.
Police said Smith owns con-
siderable property in Prince
Georges County and last year
built an expensive home on
River road beyond Potomac. He
has operated a number of tav-
erns in Prince Georges County.
King earlier had been identi-
fled by Capt. John B. Layton of
the gambling squad. as, a part
r1er of John (Leftyl winston,
who surrendered last Wednes-
day. According to Capt. Layton,
the two had shared an $8,000-a-
day lottery business. King is
under indictment on lottery
charges arising from raids last
February 4, which resulted in 30
arrests.
Key Figures of Raids.
At the time of the February
raids. King. q, lived in the 1900
block of o street NV. He was de-
scribed as the key figure of the
raids.
1t. Thoman collected $10,111
IN protection money during his
undercover work. The probe re-
suited. on September II, in the
arrest of Capt. John B. Monroe,
head of the twelfth precinct, and
George c. Prather. a probation
ary detective of the thirteenth
precinct.
The police officers and all the
alleged gamblers under arrest
are accused Of issuing payoff
money to 1t. Thoman.
Commissioner Lawrence or
dered the $500 bond for Zazanis
although Mr.. Donnelly asked for
Zazanis' release. The defense
attorneys for four of the men
accused were to have the chance
to seek immediate hearings at
2::30 o'clock this afternoon, when
Mr.. Lawrence will rule on such
requests.
According to the morals squad,
on June of last year, Zazanis
was picked up at the American
Greek Social Club. in the 1000
block of Fourteenth street NV,
and on october 20 pleaded guilty
to setting up a gaming table.
Judge Alexander Holtzoff of u. S.
District Court for the District of
Columbia sentenced Zazanis to
from 80 to 80 days but suspended
the sentence and placed him on
a years probation.