March 14,
2001 - Letter to Richard Alexander, KWVA, from W. Charles Grace,
United States Attorney, and Ranley R. Killian, Assistant United
States Attorney:
[KWE Note: US Attorney reply to Ritchie Alexander as to who is target
of FBI investigation re Maison incident.]
To:
Mr. Richard Alexander
Korean War Veterans Association, Inc
14 Wisteria Dr., 1A
Fords, New Jersey
From:
W. Charles Grace, United States Attorney
X. Ranley R. Killian, Assistant United States Attorney
Re: John Maison
Dear Mr. Alexander:
I am in receipt of your letter dated March 5, 2001, as well as
letters from William T. Hancock and Nicholas J. Pappas. All of
the letters seek information regarding the FBI investigation into
the embezzlement from the Korean War Veterans Association.
Under various Department of Justice guidelines and professional
obligations, I am prevented from discussing all aspects of the
investigation. However, I do believe that I can cover some of your
areas of concern.
As you know John Maison was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Southern
District of Illinois. That indictment alleged that Mr. Maison was
the person responsible for the embezzlement. Although it is clear
that there were significant systemic weaknesses in the way that
the funds of the Association were handled, the Grand Jury investigation
concluded that only Mr. Maison was criminally responsible.
Because of Mr. Maison’s unfortunate and untimely death,
these allegations were never proven in court. Upon Mr. Maison’s
death, this office reviewed the evidence and determined that no
other criminal charges were appropriate and has since closed our
file.
Over the course of the investigation, I have received numerous
questions concerning whether other individuals participated in
the theft or profited from them. The only response I can make to
those questions is that John Maison was the only target of the
investigation, and upon his death, the Grand Jury, this office,
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation all considered the matter
closed.
I have enclosed a copy of the indictment that was returned against
Mr. Maison for your review. Additional information from the United
States regarding this matter must be obtained through the Freedom
of Information Act. I cannot advise you regarding such a request,
but you may obtain information on filing such a request at www.usdoi.gov
under the section labeled FOIA.
Cc: William T. Hancock & Nicholas J. Pappas
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