An Alien Property Custodian was appointed during World War I to handle property in the United States belonging to citizens of enemy nations. Thomas W. Miller held that position during the Harding administration. It was later revealed that he had taken a $50,000 bribe from Jess Smith, a close friend of Attorney General Harry Daugherty, to influence the disposition of some property belonging to aliens. In 1927, Miller was convicted of fraud and sent to prison, primarily for his role in the sale of some German patents for a pittance.