Fire Chief Accused of Fraud Over Naturalization Papers
Seattle's fire chief faces an investigation into whether he lied about his birthplace to secure naturalization papers.
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The fight against A. B. Hunt, chief of the fire department, has gone one step further and will likely be transferred from the fire commissioners' to the United States commissioners' courts. Fire Commissioner Kahaley has filed an information with Assistant United States District Attorney Kiefer, alleging that Chief Hunt obtained his naturalization papers by fraud. The question of the place of Hunt's birth is mixed; on his naturalization papers filed October 24, 1892, he swore he was a native of Canada, but when he joined the department in 1880, he told Chief Kellogg he was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If convicted, the law stipulates imprisonment at hard labor for one to five years and a fine of up to $1,000. Additionally, the commission is investigating mysterious salary warrants issued to Hunt and R. A. Miller for their period of suspension last summer, which were allegedly paid without the sanction of the commissioners.
“The question of the place of Hunt's birth seems to be somewhat mixed, and on this point the fight will be made.”
Public sector accountability remains a recurring theme in Seattle politics. This investigation into Chief Hunt's personal veracity and the mysterious disbursement of public funds echoes contemporary debates over transparency in city department leadership.
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