[Part of our "Fuentes Files" series.]
This "shakedown" case is connected to a wider web of similar cases. See:
Harber and Caspers attempt to bribe a developer, but then they die instead.
I think that McWhinney and Fujita were guilty—but did they falsely claim that Battin was not involved, despite the yarn they told Murai that he was? (Later, Fujita claimed that prosecutors wanted him to lie: to say that Battin was involved.)
Essentially, farmer Murai claimed that McWhinney and Fujita told him that the Supes—or just Supe Battin—was angry that Murai hadn't given to his election campaign. What to do? Well, a check to his new campaign would be good! Plus $5000 cash!
The case ended with the prosecutor's picture: McWhinney and Fujita were working on their own and lying (to Murai) about Supervisor Battin's involvement. They pocketed all the money themselves. (Including the check to Battin's campaign? No. That doesn't make much sense.)
Like I.said, I have my doubts. Caspers & Harber were working a very similar scheme just two years later. But then they both died mysteriously (the sinking of the Shooting Star, no body or wreckage found). (Again, see Harber and Caspers attempt to bribe a developer, but then they die instead.)
Fred Harber was involved in a shakedown in 1974, with Ronald Caspers, but both died when Harber's yacht mysteriously sunk off the coast of Baja. No wreckage or bodies were ever found.
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