FORBES & THOMPSON GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD GOVERNMENT
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On January 31, 1925, The Evening Star reports that last night Col. Charles R. Forbes* and John W. Thompson "were found guilty...of conspiracy to defraud the Government in contracts for soldiers' hospitals."
These men face up to two years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine.
The main charge was "the alleged payment of $5000 cash" to Forbes by Elias H. Mortimer, chief prosecuting witness.
Associated Press adds that Mr. Forbes is also indicted in Baltimore on charges of conspiracy to defraud the Government through sale of surplus supplies from the Veteran's Bureau storehouse located at Perryville, Maryland.
*Charles Robert Forbes (1877-1952) was born in Scotland & educated at Columbia University & MIT. CRF served in the US Army & USMC. He was the 1st director of the Veteran's Bureau, 1921-1923 & was sent to Leavenworth Prison in 1926 for a 20 month sentence.
SOURCE
"Forbes Convicted, Faces Jail Term," The Evening Star, Washington D.C., January 31, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
