U.S. vs. Matthew S. Murray: Opening Statement of Maurice M. Milligan
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14 U.S. Attorney Maurice M. Milligan's opening statement in Criminal Case No. 14652: United States vs. Matthew S. Murray, defendant. Milligan notes that Murray filed tax returns in each of those years, for considerably less than his actual income, i.e. reporting net income of $3,500.85 in 1935, but actually receiving $14,576.88, and that he defrauded the government out of $6,577.29 in total over those five years. Milligan also argues that his personal financial recordkeeping seemed to intentionally cover up income and expenditures, and that he was secreting cash in a bank safety deposit box. He goes on to detail numerous large cash expenditures of Murray's during those years, including loan repayments, investments, and other transactions totalling tens of thousands of dollars, including with Pendergast-owned companies. The statement also alleges that Murray, as Director of Public Works, broke up contracts for construction work to avoid city rules about bidding out contracts on projects such as Brush Creek sewer improvement and the construction of the Municial Airport, and instead granted that work to Pendergast-controlled companies such as Ready Mixed Concrete.
