Armand Deperdussin
Armand Deperdussin (1860 – June 11, 1924) was a French entrepreneur who founded the aircraft manufacturing company Société Pour les Appareils Deperdussin (SPAD) in 1910, located in Betheney near Reims. He hired designer Louis Béchereau as technical director of the company and later employed the young engineer André Herbemont. These two individuals contributed significantly to SPAD's global reputation.
In 1913, Armand Deperdussin was accused of fraud by the Comptoir Industrial et Colonial Bank, which alleged that he financed his participation in the Gordon Bennett Trophy using falsified receipts from his silk business. He remained in prison until 1917, when he was brought to trial. During the trial, Deperdussin argued that his funds were invested in the development of the French aviation industry. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but due to time already served, he was released immediately. Despite regaining his freedom, he never fully recovered and ended his life by suicide on June 11, 1924.