The fate of three businessmen accused of masterminding the "biggest fraud in New Zealand's history" will be determined today.
Former South Canterbury Finance (SCF) chief executive Lachie McLeod, 50, and two of the company's former directors, lawyer Edward Sullivan, 72, and accountant Robert White, 70, deny a $1.6 billion fraud.
The trial in the High Court at Timaru, which concluded on August 18, spanned 61 days of evidence over five months. A verdict is due this morning.
Read more:
• South Canterbury Finance: Verdict in $1.6b fraud trial due
• Sth Canty Finance kicks off today
The Crown alleged actions by the three accused "contributed directly" to SCF's collapse on August 31, 2010.