Melvin Taves

Two Cayman banks that were closed down by regulators due to money laundering concerns have filed lawsuits against the government seeking the return of a mysterious US$2.5 million payment in 1997. The litigation relates to the unusual circumstances in which Euro Bank Corporation, then a Class 'B' bank, obtained a rarely-awarded Class 'A' banking license on October 8, 1997.

Cayman Islands police have brought charges against nine people as part of an investigation into the alleged laundering of $25 million through Euro Bank Corp. (in liquidation). Four of the accused are residents of the Cayman Islands - including three former officers of the bank, while the other five live in California.

Although much has been made overseas of a decision by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to approve a request to hand over the bank records of Euro Bank Corporation client Kenneth Taves to his US-based Receiver, there is nothing unusual about such a move. The foreign press has been lauding the deal as a break with tradition by Cayman after comments to that effect by Robb Evans, the Receiver for Kenneth Taves, his wife, Teresa; and their businesses J. K. Publications Inc., MJD Service Corp., TAL Services Inc. and their affiliates and subsidiaries.