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Tells Confidential

Tale of Arnaz Date

By BOB THOMAS · LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13 (P)A Hollywood prostitute testi-

Zeckendorf's

From First Page

Zeckendorf, known for his multimillion-dollar real estate

any means So no lawsuits deals throughout the country, would be filed.”

and his party of six will arrive Mrs. Quiilan testified that about 10 a.m. at Cleveland Hop-fied today that she had a tryst Harrison later told her to sub-kins Airport in his company's with television star Desi Arnaz mit her material through Fred plane. in 1944 and 10 years later sold and Marjorie Meade, defendan account of it to Confidential ants in the trial along with william Jr., John M. O'Mara, In the group will be his son, magazine. The testimony indi-Hollywood Research, Inc,, ConWebb & Knapp's project mancated Arnaz was not married fidential and Whisper magaager for New York redevelopment, William L. Slayton, reThe Cuban-born performer She submitted material even development specialist in the married comedienne Lucille after Whisper published a story Webb & Knapp Washington Ball Nov. 30, 1940. She won an about her called "Hollywood's office, Dean McClure, architect, interlocutory divorce decree No. 1 Madam," she said, but Vincent de Ponte, city planner, Oct. 16, 1944, about the time of none of the material was used. and John Price Beil, vice presithe alleged incident învolving

at that time.

Mrs. Ronnie Quillan, 41, The couple later reconciled and went on to TV fame with "I Love Lucy."

Arnaz, contacted at Del Mar race track near San Diego, said:

"I don't ever remember meeting the lady, and I guess I'm being kind by calling her a lady. I was in the Army in 1944 and I think I was someI don't remember being in Palm Springs. From the pictures I've seen of her (Mrs. Quillan), I don't think I could have done anything like that."

where up north?

Arnaz said he had read the Confidential article involved, and it was "a lot of baloney.” Chief Witness

Mrs. Quillan, a veteran of Hollywood night life who has a record of arrests on various charges, was the day's chief witness at the trial of Confidential and Whisper. magazines and various individuals on charges of criminal libel.

She said she received $1,500

for providing material for stories on Arnaz and singer Herb Jeffries, her former husband.

The Arnaz story was printed in 1955, she said, and gave the impression the alleged events it described were recent.

She admitted her occupation was prostitution at the time of her dealings with the magazine. Questioning her concerning the Arnaz story in the January 1955 Confidential, Dep. Dist. Atty. William Ritzi asked: Did you furnish material for that story based on an incident that took place between you and Desi Arnaz in Palm Springs in October of 1944??

"I did," she answered. Mrs. Quillan said her dealings with Confidential publisher Robert Harrison began in 1954 when she sent him a letter commenting story that

Bon

appeared about her in the magazine.

Accused of Slashing She quoted from the letter: "If you want the other

I

woman's' version of why really knifed Billy Daniels, I would be more than willing to oblige for a remuneration of course."

She once was accused of slashing Negro singer Daniels with a butcher knife after demanding money. She later said she acted in self defense. She was released when Daniels refused to press charges.

She said Harrison sent six to eight letters and numerous wires to her and telephoned her 30 to 40 times from New York. She also met with him in Hollywood four times in August of 1954, she declared. "He told me he wanted stories on the sexual activities of celebrities in Hollywood and the more lewd and lascivious stories the more colorful the magazine," she said.

She added that Harrison dilrected her to contact other girls and assist them in preparng affidavits.

"He said he needed verification of the fact these girls had had dates with celebrities,”she said.

Used Detective Agency Mrs. Quillan said Harrison also employed the Hollywood Detective Agency, operated by H. L. Von Wittenberg, used such methods as "bugging a place, recordings, magnetic eyes and miniphones."

and]

A miniphone is a recording device with a microphone that can be attached out of sight to ▲ person's wrist.

Asked if Harrison ever discussed with her a prominent movie actress-not identifiedalleged to be a homosexual, she said he did.

"He wanted me to get verification of the story," she testified. "I was to take her out to lunch, use the miniphone or

zines.