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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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