Sheriff Office Probe Planned by Grand Jury

Article taken from The Lima News, July 18, 1931

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PORTSMOUTH, O., July 18 -- (AP) --
Special grand jury investigation on the office of Sherifff Maurice J. Caldwell, whose resignation will be effective tomorrow, appeared a possiblilty today.
That the grand jury would be called was indicated by Prosecutor Cameron Meacham and county commissioners as they examined his official expense accounts in an effort to uncover reported irregularities.
The sheriff, under fire several times since he took office in 1928, has been acquitted on a charge of accepting a bribe, and an indictment charging embezzlement has been nolled.
The sheriff's resignation, handed in yesterday, was hastened, officials said, by the discharge of Deputies Al Bridwell and Arthur Coates, who were popular.
Last fall a count of votes revealed his defeat by 56, but a recount showed a victory by 21.