Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1901 — ALLEGED BRIBER IS HELD. [ARTICLE]

ALLEGED BRIBER IS HELD.

Grand Jury to Look Into the Case of Steward Sapelii. Ernesto Sapelii, the steward on the steamship La Gascogne, who was arrested at New York last Sunday on a charge of attempting to bribe Immigration Inspector Junker, has been held in $2,500 bail for the United States grand jury. Sapelii is charged with having attempted to bribe Inspector Junker to permit the landing of Immigrants without their having first gone through the immigration inspection at Ellis island. After the hearing Sapelii asked permission to make a statement, and in the presence of the immigration officials and a representative of the United States district attorney’s office he made a declaration which, it is believed, will result in the arrest of the principals In the case. The general belief of the government officers is that Sapelii was a dupe employed by others, who got the money paid by immigrants illegally landed at this port.