Many crimes in the crusader states were very visible—and often shockingly so. But there were other crimes that were far more discreet—and insidious.
Bribery, tax evasion, and fraud were the pervasive forms of 'white-collar crime'—they were easy to commit, hard to prevent, and very profitable if you got away with it.
In such desperate times, even the military orders could not always be trusted. The Hospitallers certainly had their share of fraudsters.
The practice was so lucrative that it proved impossible to stamp out. A Brother John of Isca absconded with 11,000 livres tournois, diverting resources from the front line.
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