Robert Kennedy, US Attorney General indicts Roy Fruehauf
Testimony from Roy Fruehauf
Indictment and Trial
Roy and his attorney's anticipate an indictment and have made the proper preparations. FBI agents interview Roy on July 23, 1957, just two months after his Senate testimony in the McClellan Hearings which succeeded in changing several laws and put Dave Beck in prison for tax evasion.
Due to growing publicity and criticism regarding Roy’s involvement with Dave Beck and the Teamsters, Fruehauf Trailer Company needed to be protected from the brewing storm. Fruehauf customers like Reynolds aluminum, Nabisco, Hershey's Candy, Proctor & Gamble, and Kelloggs were concerned about the inferences that Fruehauf was tied to corruption within the teamsters Union. Fruehauf Trailer Company employed very few teamsters nationwide, which meant that Roy or Fruehauf had little to gain with any quid pro quo with the Teamster's. Nevertheless, Roy stepped down from the presidency of Fruehauf Trailer Company in September 1958 and remained on the board.
The Justice Department filed their first indictment June 17, 1959 in New York State. Roy appeared in court February 18, 1960 with Burge Seymour and Dave Beck in regard to their $200,000 loan transaction. Judge Sidney Sugarman, chastises the Justice Department for an ill-prepared case, and then dismisses the indictment.
Roy and his attorney's anticipate an indictment and have made the proper preparations. FBI agents interview Roy on July 23, 1957, just two months after his Senate testimony in the McClellan Hearings which succeeded in changing several laws and put Dave Beck in prison for tax evasion.
Due to growing publicity and criticism regarding Roy’s involvement with Dave Beck and the Teamsters, Fruehauf Trailer Company needed to be protected from the brewing storm. Fruehauf customers like Reynolds aluminum, Nabisco, Hershey's Candy, Proctor & Gamble, and Kelloggs were concerned about the inferences that Fruehauf was tied to corruption within the teamsters Union. Fruehauf Trailer Company employed very few teamsters nationwide, which meant that Roy or Fruehauf had little to gain with any quid pro quo with the Teamster's. Nevertheless, Roy stepped down from the presidency of Fruehauf Trailer Company in September 1958 and remained on the board.
The Justice Department filed their first indictment June 17, 1959 in New York State. Roy appeared in court February 18, 1960 with Burge Seymour and Dave Beck in regard to their $200,000 loan transaction. Judge Sidney Sugarman, chastises the Justice Department for an ill-prepared case, and then dismisses the indictment.
Trial begins in New York
Robert F. Kennedy, US Attorney General
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John F. Kennedy and Pierre Salinger
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The defense is jubilant and they gather to celebrate their victory. This is premature, however, since the Justice Department filed an Appeal on January 11, 1961. Robert F. Kennedy who was known for his strong stance on corporate corruption refused to let this case be dismissed. Assisted by Pierre Salinger, White House Press secretary they were dogged in their pursuit of any business associates of Dave Beck.
Trial began in Federal Court in New York on October 1, 1962 before the Honorable Judge Wilfred Feinberg. Coincidentally, this was Roy's 54th birthday. A jury was selected and a month long trial began, which concentrated on the mechanics of the $200,000 loan. Roy and Ruth Fruehauf move to New York City where they lived in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Despite the threat of the pending legal case, the pair became regulars at NY’s 21 Club, the Stork club and other Manhattan haunts. Their dinner guests included Guy Lombardo, Drew Pearson, Ambassador Davies and other notables of the time.
Trial began in Federal Court in New York on October 1, 1962 before the Honorable Judge Wilfred Feinberg. Coincidentally, this was Roy's 54th birthday. A jury was selected and a month long trial began, which concentrated on the mechanics of the $200,000 loan. Roy and Ruth Fruehauf move to New York City where they lived in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Despite the threat of the pending legal case, the pair became regulars at NY’s 21 Club, the Stork club and other Manhattan haunts. Their dinner guests included Guy Lombardo, Drew Pearson, Ambassador Davies and other notables of the time.
New York's 21 Club
New York's Stork Club
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The famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Alan Gornick, Susie Avis Packer & Guy Lombardo
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Roy Fruehauf Exonerated of all Charges are Dismissed!!
On November 1, 1962, after four intense weeks of testimony, and a brilliantly delivered summation speech by Louis Nizer, the jury votes for acquittal for all parties on all charges.
Beck, who is serving a prison sentence for an earlier conviction of tax fraud stemming from testimony delivered at the McClellan Senate hearings, is returned to prison to serve out his sentence.
In 1966 Nizer published THE JURY RETURNS, a book that highlights his trial victories before the bench in Roy’s 1962 trial to great acclaim. Roy did not read the advance proof of Nizer’s book.
Roy died on October 31, 1965, which was coincidentally his wife Ruth's birthday.
Beck, who is serving a prison sentence for an earlier conviction of tax fraud stemming from testimony delivered at the McClellan Senate hearings, is returned to prison to serve out his sentence.
In 1966 Nizer published THE JURY RETURNS, a book that highlights his trial victories before the bench in Roy’s 1962 trial to great acclaim. Roy did not read the advance proof of Nizer’s book.
Roy died on October 31, 1965, which was coincidentally his wife Ruth's birthday.
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