The US Navy was accused on PrimeTime Live of seeking vengeance against Master-at-Arms Senior Chief Officer George Taylor.

It allegedly hit the military Police officer with 48 misconduct offences in a bid "to get even''.

And viewers of the ABC news show watched as California military top brass faced accusations of intimidating him at a hearing.

Firing the barrage of questions at the Navy was PrimeTime Live's Sam Donaldson.

In 1992 PrimeTime Live helped seal the fate of the US Base with a devastating expose.

It depicted the Base as a "Club Med'' holiday resort for Navy chiefs.

Chief Officer Taylor and Second Class Petty Officer Thomas William Coggins were the whistle-blowers.

They were later transferred to other Bases -- Chief Officer Taylor to a naval construction centre at Port Hueneme in California.

Congress then voted to close the Bermuda Base by 1995.

Last night Mr. Donaldson said the whistle-blowers had saved taxpayers $225 million.

But how did the Navy reward their actions? PrimeTime Live outlined how Chief Officer Taylor ended up facing 48 charges over the arrest of a suspected gun-toting deserter and drug-dealer.

Instead of being treated as a hero, Taylor and other officers faced a court martial, Mr. Donaldson said.

And ironically Taylor was hit by more charges than the man arrested.

Taylor was accused of unauthorised off-base surveillance and arrest, and searching a private vehicle.

In last night's programme, however, Chief Officer Taylor stated: "We did everything by the book.'' And he claimed the charges were the Navy's attempt to retaliate.

Taylor said he had been "scrutinised'' and put under the microscope ever since leaving Bermuda.

He also alleged the Whistle-blowers Protection Act was not working for him.

"I'm tired of putting my family through it.'' Mr. Donaldson put the spotlight on the centre's legal chief Lt. Cmdr. Derek Cole.

He suggested he had intimidated Taylor during a hearing over the arrest. Was it true Lt. Cmdr. Cole had told Taylor: "This isn't Bermuda, and you aren't going to get away with that sh** here.''? Lt. Cmdr. Cole replied that he had no recollection of making the remark.

Several officers, however, backed Chief Taylor to the hilt, saying he was victimised.

One told PrimeTime: "They saw an opportunity to take down the man who took down Bermuda.'' Mr. Donaldson reported the charges have now been withdrawn, but Taylor remained unconvinced he was out of the firing line.