Frank B. Burch
Frank Beckwith Burch (born February 10, 1875) was an attorney and Ohio state legislator convicted of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Early life
Frank Burch was born in Malone, New York, February 10, 1875 to John and Marietta (Ketcham) Burch. On June 20, 1900, he married Rose V. Brewster of Akron. He attended Franklin Academy in Malone, New York and studied law with Musser & Kohler of Akron. He was admitted to the bar of Ohio in October 1899. He was elected to the Ohio state senate in 1923.[1]
Political activities and conviction
Burch helped to organize the America First Committee in Akron, Ohio. In September 1941 he was indicted for not registering as a foreign agent. In the indictment it was alleged Burch was persuaded by Karl Kapp, the German consul in Akron, to become "public relations consul, agent, representative, and attorney" for the Berlin government.[2]
Frank Burch was convicted for receiving $10,000 for his services. Burch compiled a mailing list of 30,000 industrialists and political leaders and turned the list over to Kapp. Burch pleaded guilty claiming he was unaware he needed to register as a foreign agent. He was fined a $1,000 and placed on probation.[3]
Federal prosecution
- United States v. Frank B. Burch, Esq., (D.D.C. Crim.No. 68517 September 23, 1941)
Associations
Frank Burch was a Mason and a member of the Republican Party.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Bench and Bar of Northern Ohio, by William B. Neff, page 311
- ↑ "Innocent Plea on Agent Charge", Spokane Daily Chronicle, September 24, 1941, page one
- ↑ "BURCH IS FINED $1,000 AND PUT ON PROBATION", The Sun, October 18, 1941 page one
- ↑ Bench and Bar of Northern Ohio, by William B. Neff, page 311