Lincoln Reward Money Fraud?

[SSlater]

Here is a quick story that may have been an attempt at Fraud.
On pg. 335 of "The Lincoln Assassination - The Reward Files" Edited and transcribed by William C Edwards, I found this letter. I took an interest in the letter, because this caper originated in my "Ole' Home Town" - Scranton, PA. This is a surprise to me, because "We never did nuttin' in Scranton." How could they get mixed up in the Assassination?

Winton, A. H. Claims Agent, Scranton, PA.
Letterhead: Attorney at Law, Notary Public, and Back Pay, Bounty, Pension and Government Claims Agent.

Scranton, PA 18 December 1865
Hon. E. M. Stanton
Sec. of War
I have the honor to state that several Germans who were lately Privates in Co. "I", 16th Reg. New York Cavalry and were present at the capture of the Assassins Booth and Herold have applied to me to collect their share of the reward offered.
As their claims must soon be filed, I write for instructions how their claim must be presented, as I desire them be right. If the government has prepared blanks or decided upon a particular course to pursue, be kind enough to have said blanks or instructions forwarded to me.
I am
Very Resp.
Yr Obt Servt.
A. H. Winton.

I have researched the 16th NY Cav. Reg. members at the Garrett Farm andNone of them were from Co. "I".
Apparently this Aretus Heermans Winton was a Lawyer for a number of years, and was in Scranton. Knowing the type of people who lived in Scranton, I have a distinct feeling that there were no Vets applying for the reward - this cat was looking for a loop-hole, to poke his fingers into the Pie. He was a Vet of the war and just starting in business, and most likely hungry.

I have contacted some friends in Scranton, to check out the newspapers in and around Dec. 18, 1865 and see if there was any more to this story. I would be interested in knowing -Who they were? Are there descendants around? and if the request for payment is still open - I spell my name JOHN F. STANTON, I'm from Scranton,and I was there too. (Some people call me "SSlater", if that works.)