insisted it had nothing to do with him, Supreme Court heard yesterday.

The 1992 statement to Police was read out during the trial of former Bank of Bermuda chief Arnold Todd -- charged with 17 counts of theft, fraud and false accounting.

Puisne Judge Richard Ground heard that co-accused Curtis was cautioned and interviewed in the early 90s by then-Det. Cons. Peter Morgan of the Police fraud squad.

And Curtis admitted to Police he ended up $670,000 in debt by the time he was interviewed.

Curtis told Det. Cons. Morgan that he and Todd, his cousin, went into the property business together and that Todd handled his bank business.

He told Det. Cons. Morgan that Arnest Ltd -- claimed by the Crown to be a vehicle for Todd's illegal activities -- was Todd's idea.

And he admitted holding shares in Arnest and acting as vice-president -- added he was holding the shares for Arnold Todd.

Curtis told Det. Cons. Morgan during the interview that he was not aware of all the business the firm did -- but signed cheques as directed by Todd because he trusted his judgement.

He added he also became a director of Twin Bays Ltd -- another front for Todd, according to the Crown -- and held shares in it on behalf of Todd.

Under Police questioning Curtis said he did not know why Todd did not want his name connected to the firms.

Curtis added he signed documents and was an authorised cheque signatory although he never attended a board meeting or kept track of the company's business.

He also told Police that an overdraft applied for in his name was used by Todd, saying: "He asked me to do it because he is my cousin and he asked me to do it.

And he told officers that Todd had done business like that "I guess so they (the bank) wouldn't know it was him.'' But Curtis denied that that thought had crossed his mind when he signed the agreement.

He said: "At that time I really didn't think he was deceiving the bank.'' Curtis added Todd gave him no explanation for his actions "except that I would make a profit out of it.'' Curtis told officers: "He told me that was what people done -- a lot of people use front people to cover their assets.'' He agreed with the interviewing officer that his massive overdraft could be interpreted as deceiving the bank.

But he added: "Not by me -- let's get that straight. It would have to be my banking officer.'' Todd, 56, Pearman's Hill, Warwick, allegedly committed the offences between 1985 and 1990.

The prosecution claims he submitted bogus loan applications and that he used several companies to disguise his actions.

In the dock with Todd are Curtis, 49, St. Anne's Drive, Southampton; hotel security chief Milton Woods, 61, of Old Road, Southampton and Cecil Durham, 56, of Ramgoat Hill, Smith's Parish.

All three face allegations relating to the charges against Todd. All four accused deny all the charges, which involve around $1.2 million.