Camden People - Frank M. Lario Sr.

FRANK M. LARIO SR. was born on February 22, 1907 in Pennsylvania to Rocco and Mary Lario. His parents had been born in Italy. Rocco Lario had come to America in 1898, Mary Lario coming in 1906. The Larios lived in Pennsylvania, where children Frank and Mary were born. The family came to Camden around 1910, and other children followed. The Lario family was living at 353 Pine Street at the time of the 1920 census. Rocco Lario owned a fruit and produce business in Camden.

Frank M. Lario was a 1930 graduate of the South Jersey Law School in Camden. A gifted artist, he drew several sketches for The Archive, the school yearbook. He graduated with many who went on to careers of note, including Mary Walsh Kobus, Edward V. Martino, and Benjamin Asbell

After working for Samuel P. Orlando, who would serve as County Prosecutor, he eventually set up his own law practice, which in 1947 was at 709 Market Street in Camden. Success came to him, and in that year he was living with wife Marie on Tavistock Boulevard in Haddonfield NJ.,

His brother Anthony M. Lario was also an attorney, and joined his brother in practice after passing the New Jersey Bar. Another brother, Charles Lario, had studied for the bar, but passed away while still attending law school, in January of 1940. In 1954 the Larios represented the American Dental Association in a libel suit. The brothers then had offices at 724 Market Street in Camden. The law firm relocated in the early 1970s Haddonfield NJ.

Frank M. Lario Sr. passed away in June of 1979.

His son, Frank M. Lario Jr. was appointed as Judge to Superior Court of the State of New Jersey in 1993, by then-governor James M. Florio. Frank Lario Jr. served first in the Civil and Family Divisions of Superior Court in Camden County before joining the Criminal Division in 1997, and was elevated to the Appellate Division in July of 2003.

Camden Courier-Post - October 13,1931

FAKE 'FLOYD GIBBONS' SEEKS FREEDOM HERE

Counsel for Henry Luellowitz, 28, lof Los Angeles, who was arrested here last June after posing as Floyd Gibbons, will seek his freedom from the county jail today in application for a writ of habeas corpus before Judge Samuel M. Shay.

Frank Lario, attorney representing Luellowitz, said yesterday he would seek the writ on the ground there is no proof that his client aided and abetted in the escape of Albert Rumford, alleged bandit, from the jail several weeks ago. Sheriff E. Frank Pine charged Luellowitz sang and made other noises near, Rumford's cell to prevent jailors from hearing hacksaw blades the fugitive used.

Luellowitz was ordered by Police Judge Garfield Pancoast to pay $100 fine or spend three months in the county jail for posing as Gibbons, the famous radio entertainer. Luellowitz has been in the jail since June 13. His term on the city charged ended September 12, but there are two detainers against him, one placed by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin on Sheriff Pine's charge, and the other from Connecticut, where he is charged with failing to pay a hotel bill.

Camden Courier-Post - October 21,1931

'Gibbons' Free After 46 Days 'Extra Time'
Judge Shay Calls Holding of Impersonator An Outrage

Declared to have been illegally detained in Camden County jail, Henry Luellowitz, 28, of Los Angeles, who posed as Floyd Gibbons, was ordered released yesterday by Judge Samuel M. Shay.

A writ of habeas corpus, served at the office of Sheriff E. Frank Pine, charged Luellowitz had been kept prisoner 46 days after his 90-day sentence had expired. The man was sentenced June 13, by Police Court Judge Pancoast, on a charge of impersonating the famed radio announcer after his arrival here by plane.

He was detained following expiration of his sentence, on a detainer from New Haven, Connecticut, where he was accused of having defaulted payment of a hotel bill.

According to Rocco Palese, assistant prosecutor, and Chief of County Detectives Lawrence T. Doran, Luellowitz was held in connection with an investigation of the escape from jail of Albert Rumford, 23, of Philadelphia. The latter cut his way from a cell adjoining Luellowitz last August 17.

Wanted Poster for Albert Rumford - August 1931

Calls Case Outrage

In dismissing the prisoner, Judge Shay declared the case was "an outrage," ruling that the man was kept "through somebody's oversight." Luellowitz criticized the prosecutor's office upon his release, saying his detention was occasioned by his refusal to "become a goat in the investigation of Rumford's escape." He praised prison attaches and Warden Edmund B. Powell, for treatment accorded him in the jail.

Frank M. Lario, attorney, who started proceedings to affect Luellowitz' release, told Judge Shay yesterday that the man had been detained without a hearing after his sentence had expired. He charged that following service of the writ last week, Luellowitz was rushed by county detectives to the office of Peter J. Wallace, justice of the peace, and then recommitted to his cell.

Judge Shay sent for Justice of the Peace Wallace who admitted he ordered the man's commitment after a hearing at which only the detectives appeared as witnesses.

The jurist declared he was convinced Luellowitz had been kept in jail through oversight of someone.

"The New Haven authorities have had ample time to come for the man. I don't care now whether they want him or not. This man cannot be punished for some one's negligence. I order his release immediately."

Says He Was 'Goat'

Following his dismissal, Luellowitz said he had been questioned about the escape of Rumford, alleged bandit, for whose capture the county has offered a $200 reward. Luellowitz and another inmate were said to have made noise while the jailbreak was being made.

"It's an outrage, the way I was treated by the prosecutor's office. Warden Powell and the jailers were mighty nice but the prosecutor and sheriff wanted to have a goat when that guy escaped and I was the first one they reached for.

"But I wasn't going to let them make a goat of me. It wasn't my fault if they didn't have enough jailors there and they couldn't blame me if that guy got away."

Assistant Prosecutor Palese said Luellowitz was detained because he was suspected of having aided Rumford to escape. He admitted the man was not legally committed.

Camden Courier-Post - June 7, 1933

PANCOAST REFUSES TO LET COPS BARE HOLDUP EVIDENCE
Police Judge Then Holds Two Camden Suspects Without Bail
CASH NOT RECOVERED

After refusing defense counsel's request that the city police bare their evidence, Police Judge Pancoast yesterday held two suspects without bail in the recent $11,790 Radio Condenser Company holdup and two other youths as material witnesses.

Frank M. Lario, attorney for the quartet, appeared in police court yesterday with William McDonald, court stenographer, and declared he wanted the police through witnesses on the stand, to reveal what evidence they have in the robbery.

But when Judge Pancoast asked Lario if he was willing to have the prisoners submit to cross examination by the court the attorney refused. Judge Pancoast thereupon declared that the formal complaints against the defendants were sufficient to establish a prima facie case, that no hearing was necessary and that the police therefore were not obliged to disclose any testimony.

Leroy Jenkins, 23, and, Joseph Putek, 23, who gave addresses at 1113 Mechanic Street and 1212 Lansdowne Avenue, respectively, were committed to the county jail without bail on charges of holdup and robbery. They pleaded not guilty.

Those held as material witnesses were Leon Grenkwicz, 18, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue. Lario pointed out they were in jail when the holdup occurred but, Judge Pancoast said he would hold them for the prosecutor's office which would probably fix bail for them.

City Detective Benjamin Simon, who signed the complaints, stated prior to the hearing that he has obtained information from North Jersey which is vital to his investigation of the robbery. But he would not reveal its nature.

None of the money stolen by the bandits, who herded 11 persons in a vault after forcing one of them to open the safe containing the payroll, has been recovered by the police.

Camden Courier-Post - June 24, 1933

Avis Halts Deportation Because U. S. Agent Erred

Because the U. S. commissioner of immigration erred, Judge John Boyd Avis yesterday refused to approve the deportation of a Pennsauken Township man because he had been convicted of assault and battery.

The commissioner had ordered Pasquale Santinello, 30, deported because he served two out of three year's sentence in Philadelphia 13 years ago for assault.

Frank M. Lario, counsel for Santinello, opposed the deportation, declaring the commissioner failed to mention the conviction in the order. He further contended Santinello was "lured" to the prosecutor's office by detectives and was later taken into custody by an immigration inspector.

Judge Avis conditionally released Santinello arid gave the commissioner 30 days in which to institute new proceedings. If he fails, Avis said he would permanently release Santinello. Assistant U. S. District Attorney Oliver Randolph represented the government.

The Archive - South Jersey Law School Yearbook - 1930


Click on Images to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post - October 26, 1936

...continued...