Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 226, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1919 — NAMED IN BIG FRAUD [ARTICLE]

NAMED IN BIG FRAUD

GEORGE V. MOSS ONE OF 25 INDICTED FOR SWINDLE IN CHICAGO. __ George V. Moss, of Frankfort, Ind., and for many years a resident of this city, was one of the twenty-five members of an alleged 'band of swindlers to be indicted by the September grand jury in Chicago Wednesday. The members of the alleged gang were accused in' true [bills with swindles aggregating [5120,000,000. Charles W. French, a Chicagoan, is said to 'be the head of the gang which has bperated extensively in middle western states during the past few years. Eight indictments were returned against French and his bond was placed at SBO,OOO. Bonds for each defendant were fixed at SIO,OOO in each case. The true bills allege conspiracy, operating a confidence game and embezzlement. The first indictment voted accused French and eighteen conspirators with conspiracy to defidence game and obtaining money under false pretenses. This dealt with the incorporation of the Collins Security company, of which Frank H. Collins, head of a firm of bankers and brokers, was president. It is alleged by the prosecution that the floating of $2,000,000 worth of notes drawn on this company was meant for the purpose of defrauding George Arthur and Charles 'Stevens, who at the particular time had sold out their interests in the Moline Plow company, of Moline, Hl., for this amount. The indictment of Mr. Moss came as a great surprise to his friends in this city and many there are who are inclined to believe that he had no active part in the operation of the company and that the fraud was unintentional on his part. Mr. Moss spent his boyhood and early manhood in this city. He was known as a brilliant scholar and graduated with high honors from the local high school. Following his graduation he took a course in law, and upon the completion of the latter located in Frankfort, where he has met with much success in his chosen profession and where he _has always been regarded as a citizen of high standing. In a statement a few days ago Mr. Moss is quoted as having said that his connection with the company had not been an active one and that the illegal practices followed by the company came as news to him, and that he had manifested only a passing interest in the business of the company.