The City Treasurer's Missing Millions

Another scandal has been sprung. The city treasurer is accused of using for his own use money paid as taxes. Andrew Smith, owner of property in this city, opened negotiations to dispose of a portion of his holdings. The prospective purchaser began an investigation into the title, and found the property had been sold for taxes. Mr. Smith was dumbfounded, as he had always paid the taxes on the property. He found his receipts were valid. A petition to have his title cleared was filed, and the city authorities began an investigation. As a result, City Comptroller Ben Boggs ordered a report to the council. It set forth that Mr. Smith paid taxes amounting to $145.05 by check in October 1895, which it is alleged they were cashed by Boggs, instead of turning them into the treasury and giving credit on the books. He appropriated them to his own use and made no record of their receipt. As proof of the theft of the money, the canceled checks were filed by Comptroller Ben Boggs to the council. It was a local bank check and was in the sum of $145.05. Upon the motion of the comptroller, the council cleared the claim of the city and the property canceled.