Last open John Dillinger case closed

TUCSON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The last outstanding litigation against notorious U.S. bank robber John Dillinger has been closed by an Arizona judge, the Arizona Daily Star said Friday.

Andrew Dowdle, the research and statistics manager for the court in Tucson, is also the de facto court historian. He was poring through microfilms and found nine old lawsuits filed by companies that insured banks robbed by Dillinger and his gang. Those companies, claiming losses of more than $430,000, wanted their share of the gang's seized loot.

But records show eight cases were officially closed through trials, settlements or dismissals, but one remained.

Dowdle took this case, filed on Jan. 26, 1934, by the New York-based National Surety Corp., to presiding civil Judge Charles Sabalos.

"He said, 'Well, why don't we close it?'" Dowdle said.

And on Monday, almost 70 years after it was filed, he did. Sabalos signed an order stating it was likely all the defendants and their lawyers are dead or "no longer interested in a final resolution of this matter."

Sabalos' order will become final within 30 days unless an "interested party" can show reason why the case should remain open.