Callas Case To Reopen

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 6

Callas Case To Reopen

(N.Z. P. A.-Reuter— Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 25.

The case of the opera singer, Maria Callas, an oil tanker and two Greek shipowners is to be reheard. The Court of Appeal in London has ruled that a High Court judge last April was “swayed too much by the personalities in the case and not enough by the documents they produced.” Lord Denning said the trial judge wrongly held that the Greek shipowner Mr Panaghis Vergottis, was motivated by greed or avarice. Last April, Miss Callas claimed she paid £60,000 to Mr Vergottis for 25 shares in the tanker. Mr Vergottis, who said the money was a loan, was ordered to hand over the shares. These, together with 26 other shares given to her by another Greek shipowner, Mr Aristotle Onassis, gave Miss Callas a controlling interest in the ship. Mr Vergottis appealed against the decision. Noting that each side accused thrf other of lying and fraud. Lord Denning commented in the Court of Appeal: “Goodness knows where the truth lies.”