OPPOSITION MP Wayne Furbert has raised fresh concerns over the controversial Faith-Based Tourism scheme, claiming that thousands of dollars still remain unaccounted for.

But the former head of the programme, Andre Curtis, yesterday hit back, saying that he will provide documented accounts for the organisation – at some point in the future.

Last month, in response to written questions from the Opposition United Bermuda Party, Premier Ewart Brown revealed that Government paid Mr. Curtis' company, Harvest Investments, $345,250 to run the controversial scheme in 2007-08.

The taxpayer also stumped up nearly $30,000 to cover Mr. Curtis' rent. For his fee, Mr. Curtis, a close friend of Dr. Brown's, was expected to organise ten religious events that would attract tourists.

But this week Mr. Furbert said that the figures did not take into account money raised from congregations attending a number of events.

He said that revenue was raised through the sale of tickets for a CeCe Winans concert and congregations at other events were asked to make donations.

And his concerns have been shared by several members of the public who claim that thousands of dollars must have been collected during some services.

One churchgoer, who attended a FBT-organised service at which the UK's Bishop John Francis was the guest speaker, said that during the service, held at the First Church of God in Pembroke, the congregation was asked to make a donation. Bishop Francis has since claimed that he has never received a single payment from Mr. Curtis or anyone else for his sermon.

"The church was packed full – hundreds of people must have been in the congregation, although seeing as I recognised just about everyone there only a handful could have been tourists," the churchgoer, who asked not to be named, said.

"They said that they were going to be making an offering and even said people could write out cheques," they said.

"Usually any funds collected from the offering go to the guest minister, but according to Bishop Francis, he never got paid anything."

Mr. Furbert, who is also a regular churchgoer, questioned how much money was raised from congregations – and also questioned if some of the events Mr. Curtis claims to have organised ever took place.

"I think they raised about $30,000 when they held that first Faith-Based Tourism event at the National Stadium in 2006," Mr. Furbert said.

"They had an offering but where did all the money go?

"There was also an offering at the Bishop Francis event and yet he is saying that he hasn't received anything.

"I don't want to use the word 'fraud' but, well, there's just no financial accountability. I believe that a lot of these events that Mr. Curtis claims to have organised are a figment of his imagination.

"Andre is not only working for himself and Government, he is also representing Bermuda's churches and this whole affair is making Bermuda's churches look bad. He needs to show clear evidence of what he spent on each event and just hasn't been able to do that. He should not be allowed to get away with this."

Mr. Curtis, who recently purchased a BMW car costing more than $100,000, has so far declined to comment on the matter and has been screening calls from this newspaper and other media organisations.

When the Mid-Ocean News newsdesk telephoned his company office, we were told that Mr. Curtis would not take our calls. Whenever the newsdesk telephoned his cell phone, we were put through to his voicemail.

However, Mr. Curtis did eventually pick up his phone when the Mid-Ocean News dialled from a public payphone.

And he gave assurances to this newspaper that he will answer our questions – at an unspecified time in the future.

"Let me tell you that when I am ready to speak – and I will be ready to speak at some point in the future – I will call you and give you the exclusive," Mr. Curtis said.

"You can meet me in my office and see that everything is documented."

When asked why he was not prepared to answer questions now, he replied: "I don't care what other people are saying. I will speak when I'm ready."