In 1904 Lawson, along with Ernest Terah Hooley, was tried in court for fraudulently obtaining money from his shareholders and, after representing himself in court, he was found guilty and sentenced to one year's hard labour.
In 1904 Lawson, alongside Ernest Terah Hooley, stood trial for swindling money from shareholders through deception. Following his self-representation in court, Lawson was found guilty and sentenced to hard labor for a period of one year.