New York State Joint Legislative Committee on Housing Criminal Investigation and Prosecution Files

This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, and financial and legal documents used in the prosecution of Robert P. Brindell and John T. Hettrick, primarily, and the criminal investigation that adjoined the committee's investigation into building trade and suppliers associations in general, which were collected as part of the committee's investigation into rising housing costs.

Brindell and Hettrick were officers in the Building Trades Council, an organization that gained a monopoly on construction labor in New York City and engaged in price-fixing. These records were apparently used by the District Attorney to prosecute organizations and individuals which the committee, known as the "Lockwood Committee" for chairman Charles C. Lockwood, found were price-fixing and/or engaging in restraint of trade.

Records from heating and ventilation contractors, plumbers, stone contractors, plasterers, and various types of hardward suppliers comprise the majority of the building trade and supplier associations records found in this series. Financial documents from these suppliers include ledgers, checkbooks, cash books, contracts, bank books, and cancelled checks. Legal documents include copies of subpoenas, court transcripts, grand jury evidence, memoranda concerning opening and closing arguments, and other court related material from cases against these organizations or their officers.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was originally accessioned as part of boxes 63-70 and 70a of accession -216, old collection #405.

Grand jury hearing transcripts: Restricted pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law, Sect. 190.25.4(a).