#corruption charge

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“Criminal Indictment Filed Against Eleven; York Inquiry Sequel,” Toronto Star. December 11, 1930. Page 01 & 49. ---- Six Ex-Councillors Surrender to Face Conspiracy or Bribery Charges ---- DRAMATIC SEQUEL TO INVESTIGATION --- Contractors, Ex-Engineers and Insurance Agent Are Also Accused ---- Judge Denton’s enquiry into the administration of York township contracts, had a dramatic sequel yesterday, when warrants, charging either conspiracy or bribery were issued for the arrest of eleven persons who had figured prominently in the investigation.

Eight of the eleven are under arrest, seven of them surrendering voluntarily, while the other three are still sought by the township police. Those under arrest are six former members of York Council - E. G. Westbury, ex-reeve; I. C. Woolner, J. J. Little, W. G. Armstrong and A. E. Baker, ex-deputy reeves, and Wm. McQueen, ex-councillor, H. P. Jarvis, former insurance agent, and D. K. C. Strathearn, former designing engineer for the township.

Strathearn was not arrested last night, but he turned up at county court this morning, ready to face trial with the other seven.

Those on whom the warrants have not yet been served are Peter Mohan, Flloyd Cross and Basil Holden, officials of construction companies which had contracts, with the township. Mr. Holden is said to be in Montreal, and Mr. Mohan in Ottawa.

Woolner, McQueen, Jarvis, and Cross are charged with conspiracy; the other seven with giving or accepting bribes. Those already under arrest have been released on bail of $5,000 each, and will appear in county police court to-day, but will probably be remanded.

The charges were laid yesterday, following a prolonged conference between Eric Armour, K. C., crown attorney, magistrates, the representative of the Attorney-General, current officials of York Township and police officials.... - ----- - “No Pleas Made As Accused Men Appear in Court,” Toronto Star. December 11, 1930. Page 01 --- Eight Facing York Township Corruption Charges Are Remanded Till Dec. 19. --- ALL BAIL RENEWED --- Crown Intimates Some Time Necessary in Order to Complete Cases --- Eight of the eleven men for whom warrants were issued on muncipal corruption charges in York township stood before Magistrate William Keith in the York county police court with their bondsmen and were all remanded till Friday, December 19.

Even at that date, it was hinted by County Crown Attorney Frank C. Moore that the crown would not be ready to proceed with the cases, and a further remand, probably till the following Wednesday, would have to be given.

In all cases to-day the same bond of $5,000 each, accepted last night at police headquarters, was reaffirmed.

The first case that broke the expectant hush of the courtroom was that of W. Glen Armstrong, ex-deputy reeve, who was represented by R. H. Greer, K. C.

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“For Fifty Cents Guard Got Duplicate Key For Moir,” Toronto Star. August 31, 1910. Page 01. ---- McCullough Swears His Fellow-Guard, Trapnell, Paid Him to Give Keys to Murderer - Shame for Young Man to Be Locked Up - Detective in Next Cell Listened to Conversation ---- Special to The Star Hamilton, Aug. 31. - Acting on the advice of the Attorney-General’s Department, the Crown authorities today arraigned Monteith Trapnail, one of the two attendants at the asylum accused of aiding murderers Moir and Taggart to escape, under the common law.

McCullough, who has already adroited his guilty, stands convicted. He was not allowed to change his plea, and will be sentenced later.

Trapnell was charged with ‘unlawfully assisting Moir and Taggarty to escape from the asylum, where they were confined in lawful custody, and that being a servant in the employ of the Ontario government he did unlawfully conspire with McCullough and others to defeat the administration of justice by conniving, aiding, and assisting in the escape of the men from custody after ‘they had been declared to be insane after having been placed upon their trial for murder.’ Trapnell declined to elect.

Crown Attorney Washington said that Attorney-General’s Department held the same opinion as he did, that the charge preferred was legally an offence.

There was a long discussion over technicalities. Dr. English, producing the warrants on which Moir and Taggart were committed to his care.

Dr. English Testifies Three attendants - Swayzie, McCullough and Trapnell - were on duty, Dr. English said, the morning of the escape. He swore Moir could not possibility have opened his door from the inside, although he might have got through the transom, from which the front bar had been removed.. The doctor told how he had been notified of the escape and made an investigation which showed clearly that keys had been used.

Dr. English admitted to the prisoner’s lawyer that Trapnell never came under suspicion until the escape. He had warned Trapnell when he took charge of the ward that Moir was a scheming, treacherous man, who was continually plotting escape, and who would not hesitate to attack anyone.

Convicted Guard in Box. The Crown protested against Trapnell’s lawyer trying to induce Dr. English to pass an opinion on Moir’s condition, and Messers. Kerr and O’Reilly, lawyers for the defendants, both protested strenuously against McCullough going on the stand, but the magistrate ruled out the objections.

‘I had only been working at the asylum a month,’ said McCullough, ‘when Trapnell came to me and said Moir was only a young man and it was a shame to see him locked up.’

Gave Moir the Keys. ‘Shortly after Trapnell threw fifty cents on the table and asked me to get some keys made. when I got a day off I got duplicates made down town of the keys that Trapnell gave me. I paid forty cents for them, and handed the keys and change back to Trapnell. He warned me to keep my mouth shut.’

‘On the Saturday before the escape, he handed me the keys to give to Moir, which I did. Nothing had been said about Taggart going.’

McCullough the receited how he had given the alarm on the morning of the escape. He had heard no noise during the night.

Detective Bleakley told of arresting Trapnell, who said: ‘I had expected this.’

‘Why did you expect it?’ I asked. ‘I expected they would swear me into it,’ he said.

Detective in Next Cell. The detective testified that after the prisoners were remanded on Monday morning he had been in a cell between the two they were confined in. McCullough said: ‘Well, Monty, what do you think of it now?’ Trapnell said. ‘It looks bad. Did they find out who brought the keys in?’ McCullough answered: ‘Yes, and I think they know who brought the saw to him.’ That was all about what was said. Mr. O’reilly kicked about not being allowed to see the indictment until the last minute and still insisted there was no law covering the case.

‘This is for the higher court to decide,’ said the magistrate.

Trapnell was committed for trial. McCullough was remanded for eight days.

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Sir: -  Re: Ex-Guard Dowsley. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 5th instant enclosing to me copy of a letter sent to me on June 2nd by Ex-Guard Dowsley; the copy sent by you being sent to the Minister and on which you now ask a report. In reply, I beg to report for the information of the Minister that the statements contained in Mr. Dowsley’s letter are very much coloured and do not contain the facts. Dr. Dowsley states in his letter that he was ‘hurriedly found guilty without being an opportunity of presenting his side.’ In reply to this statement permit us to quote the last paragraph of my letter in which I notified him of his suspension, on the 26th of May:- “I am referring all the facts to the Minister and intend recommending your dismissal. If you have anything to say in extenuation of your position, will you please report same in a seperate report for the information of the Minister and I will be very glad indeed to forward it with my report in your case.” Mr. Dowsley did not avail himself of this opportunity until the 2nd of June - eight days after receiving notice of his suspension, and he at the same time sent a copy of his letter to me to the Minister. Had he replied promptly, his letter would have been incorporated in my report that it would not now be necessary to write this letter. In another paragraph he states ‘I am quite indifferent in reference to my dismissal, as I would not now on any condition continue an officer of the institution.’ This being the case, then why bother the Minister or any person else with a letter of complaint?

Mr. Dowsley further states that ‘the hospital is not maintained and governed by the same regulations or practices that prevail in reference to other portions of the Institution.’ This statement is an absolute falsehood, as there is no distinction whatsoever between discipline in the hospital and that of any other portion of the prison. The orderlies there are not given any special privileges. I would be his duty to see that they kept to their place and were not permitted to roam about the wards, dispensary, kitchen or basement. That is the reason why he was employed in the hospital as disciplinarian officer, and if he were doing his duty, it would be impossible for the convicts to store in the basement and on top of the cupboard the large number of articles which I mentioned in my report in suspending him. These articles were beyond question intended to be smuggled out clandestinely, and the fact that a dollar bill was found hidden with the articles would show beyond question that other articles had been smuggled out and commercialized. Dr. Dowsley either know, or he did not know, what was going on, so that in either case his services were absolutely useless in the institution. He was disciplinarian officer in the hospital for three months prior to his dismissal, therefore I see no reason for the insinuation contained his reference to the fact that somebody else other than he may be responsible for the conditions found to exist by myself. I return herewith the letter which you enclosed to me for report. Trusting this report will meet with the approval of the Minister. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, J. C. Ponsford Warden. To: Brig. Gen W. S. Hughes, D.S.O. Superintendent of Penitentiaries,  OTTAWA June 7, 1920.

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S.Africa: ANC Lawmaker Arrested On Corruption Charge - Police

S.Africa: ANC Lawmaker Arrested On Corruption Charge – Police

Police in South Africa have on Thursday arrested a senior lawmaker for South Africa’s governing African National Congress party on a corruption charge and released on bail after a court appearance.

Former state security minister under former president Jacob Zuma, Bongani Bongo is accused of interfering with an inquiry into corruption at state power utility Eskom.

Police spokesman Hangwani…

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EFCC Files 10 Corruption Charges Against Babachir Lawal

The Economics and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a 10 - count corruption charge against former secretary to the federal government, Babachir Lawal. #AfricanNewsNetwork

The Economics and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a 10 – count corruption charge against former Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal.

Lawal was removed from office after being indicted by a senate committee which investigated the management of money for internally displaced persons.  He was said to have used his companies to get contracts worth millions of naira without…

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