FRAUDS FOR CHARITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14895, 22 January 1912, Page 7

FRAUDS FOR CHARITY.

SISTER CANDIDE'S CASE. QUEER BUSINESS METHODS. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright (Received January 21, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, January 20. Investigations have been made into the case of Sister Candide, who was prosecuted in May, 1910, for fraudulent disposition of jewels for charitable purposes, and who has been on bail since. The inquiries show that Sister Candide collected at least a million sterling between 1889 and 1910. Of this sum £800,000 was legitimately spent. ; > Her present liabilities are £680,000, and her assets £120,000. She bought on credit, and sold immediately at greatly reduced prices, over £200,000 worth of jewels. •' Sister Candide was a well-known member of the Sistei-s of Charity, and foundress of several hospitals. , She* was prosecuted upon an allegation that she obtained £80,000 worth of jewels from 15 jewellers on credit, and sold them to various patrons of charities.* When she came before the magistrate, she refused to tell where the money was. She denied that ehe had pawned the jewels, and said that the jewellers would be paid in due course. • Dr. Pettit, head of the charitable institutions of the Sister, committed suicide when the charges were laid, and left papers charging her with embezzlement. She was apparently- a most unbusinesslike woman, ana paid away large sums without asking for receipts. _ The prosecutions caused a great sensation in Paris. ; ;