ELR Citation: ELR 20309
No(s). 70-CR-105 (W.D. Wis. May 26, 1971)

A congressman may recover the statutory informer's fees for supplying information leading to a conviction for discharging refuse into navigable waters in violation of §13 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. §407. Public policy reasons do not prevent claimant congressman from recovering the fees, because public officials are not expressly disqualified and because the congressman's official duties do not include investigating possible violations of an act of Congress. The court has no discretion in awarding one-half the fines to the claimant-informer if he is otherwise entitled to them.

Counsel for Claimant Henry S. Reuss:
Irwin B. Charne
Charne, Glassner, Tehan, Clancy & Taitelman S.C.
Midland National Bank Bldg.
211 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 273-2000

Counsel for United States:
John O. Olson U.S. Attorney
215 Monona Avenue
Madison, WI 53716
(608) 256-4441