Partners in crime Isaac and Thompkins blew thousands of their ill-gotten gains on living the high life. Telling jurors in her New York City trial about Thompkins' enjoyment of the cash, prosecutor Nicholas Goldin said:"She was not exactly shy about spending it, and spending lavishly. She burned through as much as $1,000 a day on herself and her family."

Thompkins withdrew tens of thousands of dollars in cash from ATM machines during the fraud — more than $7,000 in August and September 2003 alone.

"She knew full well that these funds belonged to the Government of Bermuda," Mr. Goldin said. "Once the stolen money started coming in the defendant did not just launder it. She went to town with it, spending thousands and thousands."

Thompkins' bank statements, perused by the jury, showed not only the $1.4 million stolen cash coming in, and laundered money going back to Isaac, but also how Thompkins spent:

[bul] $30,000 on a venture to set up a comedy club in the US

[bul] Almost $6,000 on bedroom furniture

[bul] Nearly $4,000 on air fares in February and March 2004

[bul] More than $3,600 to the Verizon Wireless cell phone company in six months

[bul] $2,350 on painting a vintage Chevrolet Impala car and buying rims and tyres

[bul] $1,830 on a Samsung television

Thompkins told the court Isaac took her on shopping sprees during her initial trip to Bermuda and on a vacation in the US. He bought her an expensive watch, a five-diamond engagement ring and furniture for her house. He also took her to a $2,500 per-night hotel for her birthday.

Reflecting on a later trip to Bermuda, she told the court: "Then there was more shopping when I was in Bermuda. More shopping there. The whole week just shopping."

Isaac's bank statements make for staggering reading. Many entries indicate the vast amounts ploughed into his calendar business, which saw him foot accommodation and travel bills for a posse of swimwear models.

In the months after he began looting $2 million from the Government coffers he:

[bul] Spent close to $76,000 on airfares

[bul] Racked up at least $58,000 in hotel bills including the Hamilton Princess, Elbow Beach resort, Grotto Bay and various US hotels

[bul] Withdrew more than $41,000 from ATM machines in just over six months

[bul] Blew $37,000 at a Chevrolet car dealership

[bul] Purchased $690 of goods at Victoria's Secret lingerie store and spent $800 on flowers

[bul] Spent $1,345 at HS and JE Crissons jewellers — the store Thompkins' engagement ring came from — and $1,116 at Astwood Dickinson jewellers