Cowgill Sues Leon E. Todd for Corotis Libel Fund

State Sen. Cowgill filed a cross claim in Superior Court today seeking to collect from Leon E. Todd the full amount of a $98,000 libel judgment returned in April against Abraham C. Corotis. Cowgill's suit charges he has been unable to collect the amount from Corotis; publisher of the defunct Argus, "because, with the knowledge of Todd, Corotis has disposed of, encumbered and concealed his assets and made himself fame and execution proof.

Camden Courier-Post – December 22, 1957

Charges Plan to Thwart Payment

State Sen. Cowgill filed a cross claim in Superior Court today seeking to collect from Leon E. Todd the full amount of a $98,000 libel judgment returned in April against Abraham C. Corotis.

Cowgill’s suit charges he has been unable to collect the amount from Corotis; publisher of the defunct Argus, “because, with the knowledge of Todd; Corotis has disposed of, encumbered and concealed his assets and made himself fame and execution proof.

At the same time, Cowgill asked the court to dismiss an interpleader filed early this month in which I. F. Huntzinger Co., Camden Printer, claimed that a $3500 check for printing fees actually belongs to Todd.

Filled In Trenton

Cowgill’s cross-claim, filed today in Trenton by his attorney, Harry Green, charges Todd, a Camden and Medford Lakes real estate broker, and Leon E. Todd Inc. with:

Willfully and maliciously conceiving a plan to hinder, delay, obstruct and thwart Cowgill in collection of judgments of $98,000 awarded Cowgill from Corotis, as the Argus, so as to give Corotis time to dispose of, encumber and conceal his assets and thereby prevent Cowgill from collecting said judgment and satisfying the executions issued thereunder.”

This was done, the suit said, “by making it appear that Corotis was taking and prosecuting appeals from the said judgment to the Appellate Division of this court.”

Corotis‘ appeal was dismissed by the appeals court Oct. 28.

False Claims Charged

Cowgill charged in the papers filed today that “in pursuance of said plan, Corotis and Todd willfully and maliciously carried out the plan” through a series of actions.

He charged that Todd paid to Corotis $2800 so Corotis could order transcripts of testimony in May, Additionally, Cowgill said, claims were made that printing orders had been arranged and that Corotis and Todd knew the claims to be “false at that time.”

In his request that the Huntzinger interpleader be dismissed, Cowgill charged that Huntzinger had given no earlier notice of an alleged receipt given Todd and had “not mentioned it at previous proceedings.” Cowgill said Huntzinzinger “comes to court with unclean hands.”

Collection Prevented

Superior Judge Schalick on Dec. 3 signed a temporary restraining order preventing Cowgill from collecting the $3500 check from Huntzinger.

At that time, the Huntzinger firm asked the court to take possession of the check until it determines to whom the money should go.

Huntzinger said Todd was given a receipt indicating the $3500 should be returned to him in the event Corotis‘ appeal should be dismissed.


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