Kevin Steele, a former partner of the solicitors' firm Mishcon de Reya (MDR) has been convicted of forgery and two fraud offences at Southwark Crown Court.
Steele, along with fellow defendants Michael Sheppard and Mark Pattinson, used fraudulent letters purporting to originate from Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd, Guernsey, in order to secure a €22m loan from Zurich-based EFG Private Bank. The court also heard that Steele abused his position at MDR in order to cover up the loan. Serious Fraud Office director Richard Alderman said: "I welcome the verdict. It's a victory for honesty and fair dealing in business." Sentencing was adjourned until 9 January 2012.
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