GIGANTIC ROBBERIES BY A CASHIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5478, 7 June 1879, Page 7

GIGANTIC ROBBERIES BY A CASHIER.

FftOJl Knssia there comes an extraordinary story of bank robbery. The Landed Bank of Mutual Credit enjoyed an excellent reputation ; its directors were men of the highest standing ; and the cashier, one Tuchentzof, moved ia the best society. He lived in a large mansion, gave great parties, and spent large sums of money, but no one seemed to have cared to inquire where the money come from. He was divorced from his wife, and was loose ia all hia relations with women, and certain magnificent presents he made to hie favourites attracted attention, and aroused suspicions. These suspicions were mentioned to the directors, but were unheeded, and months went on, during which Tuchentzof retained the fall confidence of his employer*, and maintained his extravagant mode of life. Ultimately the direct-orj, in consequence of rumours, dismissed their cashier. A successor was appointed, and immediately it was discovered that Tuchentzof had plundered the bank systematically for four years. Two millions of roubles were missing from the coffers of the bank, and many of its shares, which were believed to be in reserve, had been stolen and Bold in the market. The shares and sealed property were placed in sealed covers, and in theory theso parcels should have been examined at every periodical inspection ; but in practice the examination was confined only to. the parcels which were unsealed. The others were supposed to be Eafe because they did not appear to have been opened, and yet it was on these that Tuchentzof had been operatiDg fur four yeare. Oue of the directors wa3 asked by the Judges why they did not think it possible the cashier might be dishonest when they knew he was living a dishonest life. He answered that he remembered nothing about it, having been content to sign his name to the accounts. To a similar question another replied that he knew nothing of the coffers ; they were kept in a cellar to which he could not descend, because of a pain in the leg. Yet another stated that he had no knowledge of the technical routine of a bank, and did not know in what manner cheques and orders were dealt with. The cashier was found guilty and sentenced to Siberia, but the case is not at an end with his conviction. The shareholders have held a meeting, and resolved to sue the directors for the sum of which they allowed the bank to be defrauded.