Allen Stanford and his money at Lord's in June 2008 © Getty Images Enlarge

1983
Allen takes over the family business on the retirement of his father. He expands the firm from a 500-employee company, opening offices in Latin America and the Caribbean and diversifying into wealth management.

1990
Leaves Montserrat after setting up his bank there five years earlier and sets up his business on nearby Antigua.

1999
Becomes a citizen of Antigua and acquires dual nationality. He is later knighted on the recommendation of the Antiguan government. In the decade he invests heavily in philanthropic ventures on the island. Prime minister Lester Bird says that "the Stanford Group has invested almost EC$160 million in Antigua".

His company contributes generously to both Democrats and Republicans. According to a consumer rights group called Public Citizen's Congress Watch, the Stanford Group's sole interest is in blocking anti-money laundering legislation being introduced by the Bill Clinton administration. The group cites Antigua as a country with "a reputation as a money-laundering haven".

2003
Strenuously denies accusations by the then-leader of the opposition of Antigua that he bribed ministers, saying: "I have never in my life bribed or done anything illegal or unethical in my business endeavours."

2005
Builds his own cricket ground in Antigua and announces he will fund a pan-Caribbean Twenty20 tournament. Little interest is shown until the level of his investment emerges - US$28 million. He also sets up a group of so-called "legends" as an advisory board to oversee the project.

2006
The first Stanford 20/20 tournament is held in July and August. Guyana win the final and the competition is widely regarded as a success.

In August Stanford offers South Africa a US$5 million winner-takes-all match against West Indies. The WICB is uncertain about the idea and the plan falls through.

2007
Antigua become the first professional Stanford team. He also announces an expansion of the Stanford 20/20 tournament, this time with the backing of the WICB who agree a five-year deal to back the event.

In September, Stanford invites the winners of the ICC World Twenty20 in Johannesburg to play a one-off, US$5 million, match at Stanford's ground in Antigua. Again, the deal falls through.

2008
In January, Trinidad & Tobago win the second Stanford 20/20.

In February, Stanford announces a US$20 million winner-takes-all game with England and Australia the targets. After four months of negotiations the deal is confirmed in a glitzy launch event at Lord's when Stanford arrives by helicopter. The media response is mixed.

As details of the match become public there is unease at what critics describe as the "vulgarity" of the event, coinciding as it does with the onset of the global recession. The week-long tournament attracts negative publicity, the nadir being personal attacks on Stanford himself when he is pictured with Matt Prior's pregnant wife on his lap. The 20/20 for 20 game is a dreadfully one-sided affair, in which the home team, Stanford Superstars, bowl England out for 99.

In December, he closes his cricket office in Antigua and winds up his board of legends. He intimates that he will be scaling back on his investment in the game, especially in the Caribbean.

2009
As rumours grow about the state of Stanford's financial empire, he announces a scaling back of his investment. Five days later the Securities and Exchange Commission instigates moves against him, alleging "a fraud of shocking magnitude".