JACK Avedikian, unveiled yesterday as the man behind the new prospective developers of the former Club Med site in St. George's, is believed by sources to have filed for bankruptcy ? twice.

Former St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones is the local representative for Connecticut-based KJA Development Inc., in which Mr. Avedikian is involved.

Public records from the state of California show that a Mr. Jack Hagop Avedikian filed for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy at San Fernando Central District Court in 1997 and in October 2000, the same man filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at the same court.

In both cases, his assets were listed as $0.

A series of small claims and civil judgements were made against the same man in California courts during the late 1990s.

We were unable to confirm by press time that this was the same Mr. Avedikian who is behind KJA.

Under US law, a bankrupt is not allowed to sit on a board of a corporation or be a trustee or executor of an estate.

Transport and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown yesterday presented Mr. Jones to the media on the site of the derelict hotel, which closed down 18 years ago.

It had been widely speculated that Mr. Avedikian would be the new developer and Dr. Brown confirmed after the press conference that he is behind KJA.

Dr. Brown said: "I can confirm that it is intended that the development on this site will be an internationally recognised five-star branded location whose reputation for excellence will serve to enhance Bermuda's standing as an international destination.

"The popularity of golf as a component of the ultimate travel experience cannot be underestimated. Golfers are always looking for the newest challenge and will commit to a destination often based on the resort's golf course."

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell questioned why the $220-million plans of the St. George's Renaissance Consortium, backed by the Four Seasons Hotels group, had been cast aside. And he said it would now be years before the development happened.

He said he hoped that proper background checks had been carried out on KJA and Mr. Avedikian.

Yesterday's announcement took place in the presence of local dignitaries including St. George's MPs Dean Foggo and Dame Jennifer Smith and the Mayor, Mariea Caisey.

"A page has been turned in this site's history and I'm confident that we will see much-needed action on this development and that the town of St. George's will reap immense benefits both during the development phase and thereafter," Dr. Brown said.

The Minister expressed confidence in the new prospective developer.

"He's had sufficient experience to impress us and his bank that he can do the project," Dr. Brown said. "This developer is involved in two other projects ? one in northern California and one in St. Lucia. Both are hotel projects.

"The developer has been told and has accepted as a condition of developing here that there will be rooms for staff housing. There will be a staff housing component."

He added that the adjoining golf course would be revamped into a championship course, becoming one of the region's "must-play" venues.

Mr. Jones, having been introduced as KJA's "local representative", said: "In the next several weeks, the technical team will be in talks with the Government about preparing this site for the ground-breaking.

"This development will do nothing but enhance this wonderful area and will be of benefit to Bermuda generally and to the East End in particular."

United Bermuda Party MP Mr. Dodwell expressed concern about the announcement.

"I'm disappointed for the people of St. George's that it will now be another several years' wait for this project to come to fruition, after all the years of waiting for what everybody thought was the right project from the Quorum (Renaissance) group," Mr. Dodwell said.

"I'm also disappointed for Bermuda that this sends the wrong message out to potential overseas developers and investors that you can work for years towards something and still it comes to nought."

Mr. Dodwell said the Renaissance group was offering a mix of a top-class hotel with an emphasis on arts and culture and was concerned that Dr. Brown had offered no explanation for turning his back on them.

"The loss of a very good product is disturbing," Mr. Dodwell said. "I understand that their financing, that has been offered as a reason for not continuing with them, was solid. The Four Seasons Group was ready to come. Why would we walk away from that?"

He said the Renaissance group was still willing to push ahead with its plans, if invited back.

"I don't want to cast doubt on Mr. Avedikian or KJA, but I hope that background checks and due diligence has been carried out thoroughly, especially for a project of this size," he added.

Numerous proposals to develop the hilltop site over the years have so far come to nothing. Last month, Dr. Brown announced that talks were about to start with another would-be developer, although KJA Development was not named until yesterday.

The St. George's Renaissance Consortium had been in negotiations for several years with Government and had indicated that they were ready to break ground.

The Consortium said they could finance a $220-million redevelopment project which would include a top-class hotel with at least 90 rooms, run by the Four Seasons, plus a cottage complex of 90 condominiums, designed in a European style with public squares and fountains.

Public documents show that Mr. Jack Hagop Avedikian, then of Sherman Oaks, California, filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy on January 2, 1997.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy, also known as reorganisation bankruptcy, is filed by individuals who want to pay off their debts over a period of three to five years.

On October 26, 200, the same Mr. Avedikian filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. He was discharged.

Basically, that means his debt was erased. Chapter 7 is known as "straight bankruptcy". The debtor turns over all non-exempt property to the bankruptcy trustee who then converts it to cash for distribution to the creditors. It is a liquidation proceeding.

Mr. Avedikian was also the subject of several state tax lien proceedings, small claims and civil judgements in California courts.

Public records show the amounts involved were up to $5,620.

It is believed that Mr. Avedikian also has a close relationship with Las Vegas billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, known as "the father of the mega-resort" and regarded as one of the most influential people in the shaping of modern Las Vegas.