Four people accused of laundering $2.5 million stolen from the Bermuda Government are to go on trial in Wales this week.

Husband and wife Jeffrey and Samantha Bevan, Joel Ismail and Paul Charity all deny charges related to the theft of the cash, Wales Online reported today.

Judge Michael Fitton QC said: “This case involves allegations of fraud arising from work for the Bermuda Government and the purchase of properties, not just in South Wales but elsewhere.”

The four were charged in the wake of a number of financial transactions alleged to have been made by Mr Bevan when he worked in the Accountant-General’s office in Bermuda.

The funds are claimed to have been transferred out of the country through an island financial institution.

The alleged theft was not discovered until after Mr Bevan and his wife left Bermuda.

All of the offences are alleged to have taken place between May 2011 and February 2014.

Mr Bevan, 50, from Cwmbran, Wales, has denied charges of theft, converting criminal property and transferring criminal property.

Ms Bevan, 52, has denied converting criminal property.

Mr Ismail, 42, from Leicester, denied converting criminal property and Mr Charity, 52, also from Leicester, has denied converting criminal property and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The charges came after a four-year police investigation that involved the Bermuda Police Service and the Regional Organised Crime Unit in Wales.

The trial at Cardiff Crown Court started yesterday with jury selection.

The jury was told they would hear evidence from a number of witnesses, including testimony by video link from Bermuda.

Bermuda Police Service officers and officials from the Bermuda Government are scheduled to give evidence.

The trial is expected to last about eight weeks.

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