The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 8, February 19, 2006, Article 14

FINDERS KEEPERS? CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST MASSACHUSETTS ROOFERS

Dick Hanscom passed along a link to a new article about
the Massachusetts roofers who found a large cache of old
paper money:

"Charges were dropped today against the four roofers who
police say found thousands of dollars in antique bills in
rusted cookie canisters under the eaves of a Newbury barn
and kept them.

And their lawyers say they will fight to get the stash back
from police. The bills have been estimated to be worth as
much as $720,000."

"The charges were dismissed without prejudice by Lawrence
District Court Judge Thomas M. Brennan, meaning the Essex
County District Attorney's office could refile the charges
or develop new charges. The District Attorney's office had
no comment this morning.

Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon disputed Brennan's
decision.

"I believe it was a very poor decision," Solomon said. "We
feel that the evidence is abundant in this case ... for
conviction."

The trove of 1,800 antique bills dating from 1899 to 1928
had a face value of about $7,000, but a coin dealer who had
been contacted by the roofers to appraise the money said he
received an offer of $400 per bill — a total of $720,000 —
from a collector."

To read the full story, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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