Rabbi Samuel Buchler, ex-Deputy Attorney General, pleaded not guilty yesterday to the Federal indictment charging perjury which was returned against him Tuesday. Dr. Buchler was held for trial under $1,000 bail by Federal Judge Harry B. Anderson.
The defendant’s counsel, former Congressman Nathan D. Perlman, asked for immediate trial. Judge Anderson said Dr. Buchler could have his “day in court” as soon as two other cases were disposed of.
Mr. Perlman declared that his client was absolutely innocent and that the indictment had been the cause of great embarrassment. In his statement issued to the Jewish Daily Bulletin, Mr. Perlman declared:
“The substance of the charge is that Dr. Buchler falsely testified before the Federal Grand Jury that one Klemas had no connection with him in the matter of the campaign for funda of the Transylvanian Jewish Hospital Commission of America.
“Our investigation satisfies us that Dr. Buchler truthfully testified before the Grand Jury on all matters. He voluntarily appeared before the Grand Jury and gave full, concise and truthful testimony. This morning Dr. Buchler voluntarily appeared before United States Judge Anderson and pleaded not guilty to the indictment. We, as attorneys for Dr. Buchler, this morning requested an immediate trial so that he may be fully exonerated. Judge Anderson granted our request and directed that the case be tried after the disposition of two pending cases where the juries had already been selected.
“The indictment against Dr. Buchler does not charge any irregularity or any wrong doing with respect to the Transylvanian Jewish Hospital Commission drive.
“Dr. Eachler is a well known Rabbi, lawyer and public man. He is now Rabbi of the Congregation Kol Israel, 24 West 114th Street, New York City, Several years ago he was the Jewish Chaplain at Sing Sng Prison. Later he served as Deputy Commissioner of Charities, Deputy Commissioner of Markets and Deputy Attorney General of the State of New York. In all of this work he acquitted himself creditably and established an enviable record. Dr. Buchler is President of the Federation of Hungarian Jews of America. During the last twenty years he has been prominently identified with Jewish activities and served. without compensation. in many capacties in connection with Jewish affairs.
“He is the founder of the Jewish Court of Arbitration. which is functioning for the last six years to the credit of the founder and others associated with it. He is an ardent Zionist, having served as chairman of the United Palestine Appeal of Harlem and Yorkville and as chairman of that Zionist District.
“We are confident that Dr. Buchler will be acquitted and be fully exonerated.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
