AZCONA AND HEARTY FACE FEDERAL CHARGES
Submitted by Julie Campbell Hernandez
Source:  Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA

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Retired police Capt. Mateo Azcona and Ptn. Hugh Hearty entered pleas of not 
guilty Wednesday when arraigned in federal court on charges growing out of the 
deral grand jury's current investigation of police incomes.

Azcona was arraigned before Judge J. Skelly Wright on charges of attempting to 
evade $6701.90 in income taxes for the years 1951 through 1954.  His attorney, 
Clem Sehrt, was granted 30 days in which to file technical pleadings.

Ptn. Hearty pleaded not guilty to perjury charges growing out of his answers 
to the grand jury regarding knowledge of an participation in a system of graft 
within the police department.  He was represented by Virgil Wheeler.  He was 
arraigned before Judge Herbert W. Christenberry.

Also brought before Judge Christenberry was Ptn. John Bernius who was 
represented by Richard Dowling.  Dowling filed a motion to dismiss the 
indictment charging Bernius with perjury on the grounds that the charges are 
vague and indefinite and do not allege with reasonable certainty the 
materiality of the alleged statements made before the grand jury.  His 
arraignment was continued until June 12 when the motion will be argued.