Former Co-op Bank Chairman Sentenced to Three Years for Fraud

Paul Flowers admitted to defrauding an elderly friend's estate of nearly £100,000 for personal use.

Paul Flowers, 74, former chairman of the Co-operative Bank, was sentenced to three years in prison for committing fraud worth nearly £100,000.
Flowers abused his role as executor and power of attorney for Margaret Jarvis, an elderly woman with dementia, to siphon funds for drugs, holidays, and personal gifts.
The fraud continued even after Jarvis’s death in 2016, with Flowers exploiting his position of trust over a two-year period ending in 2017.
Previously known as the 'Crystal Methodist' due to a 2013 drug scandal, Flowers has faced multiple controversies, including a financial services industry ban and a 2024 drug possession fine.
Judge Nicholas Dean described Flowers's actions as a profound betrayal of trust, highlighting his exploitation of a vulnerable friend for personal gain.