James P. Shea and Patricia H. Shea - Page 5




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          them in an overnight air freight and mail business serving                  
          Eastern and Central Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent              
          States (the plan).  Others allegedly involved in the plan                   
          included E. B. Leedy, who claimed to be a retired U.S. Army major           
          general, and Brian Wilcox, a principal in a company called Wilcox           
          Engineering with offices in Great Britain, who was described in             
          promotional materials as the owner of a large joint venture                 
          timber operation in Russia (the promoters).  The plan, which was            
          supposed to turn a quick and substantial profit, intrigued James.           
              Sometime prior to January 19, 1992, James went to England              
          and met with the promoters of the plan.  Either prior to or                 
          during his trip, James agreed to provide the initial financing              
          for the plan and subsequently did so, transferring $650,0005 by             
          cable transfer to a bank account of Quotum International Trading,           
          Inc. (Quotum) at Nordbanken on or about January 22, 1992.                   
               In consideration for the transfer of funds, James received             
          the following:                                                              




               5 The total amount provided by James is unclear.  The                  
          amounts allegedly provided varied from $611,750, the amount                 
          reflected in a promissory note, to $900,000, a figure that                  
          appeared in at least one document admitted solely to establish              
          James’ “state of mind”.  On cross-examination, James was unable             
          to reconcile or explain the conflicting amounts.  He was also               
          unable to explain how he handled Christopher’s investment of                
          $150,000, which was made by check dated January 30, 1992, after             
          the initial cable transfer of $650,000 was made.                            





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