CITY EQUITABLE FRAUDS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17631, 7 December 1922, Page 7

CITY EQUITABLE FRAUDS.

BEVAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN TEARS. (By Cable—Frees Association—Copyright.) (Australian, and N.&. Cable Association.) LONDON, December 6. Gerard L*e Bevan was found guilty of fraud in connexion with the affairs of the City Equitable Insurance Co., and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. The Judge, in summing up, Baid Bevan gave no explanation of his leaving the country consistent with his innocence. He said he was asked to go, but he did not say by whom. What was ihe use of his flaying he left the country becaiuse he was asked to go? The Judge! told 1 the jury they must not convict because Bevan left the country, but it was idle to s>ay they must shirt, out from consideration the fact that he did leave the country. It waa not possible to believe that a minute was signed by Bevan without his knowing tlie contents unless he signed with his eyes shut. Could there be any doubt that Bevan was the dominating spirit of the City Equitable Fire Insurance Company? A reference had been made to "window-dressing.'' There were two sorts of "window-dressing," one honest and the other dishonest. He hoped the sample referred, to was not an everyday transaction in X/ondon. Bevan received his sentence with his normal pleasant expression, and left the Court looking dignified and apparently undaunted. The'foreman of the jury added that they thought the offences were made possible because tho other directors failed to do their duty.