Sacked Bermuda College chairman Nalton Brangman calls for an urgent audit of Bermuda College in his submission to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Mr. Brangman, who was fired by former Education Minister Neletha Butterfield just nine months into his tenure as chairman of the Board of Governors, says the publicly-funded college is in "critical need of an appropriate series of board policies and regulations as well as an annual audit".

His highly critical report - now seen in full by The Royal Gazette - was presented to the PAC in September, several months after the committee launched an inquiry into the college's financial practices.

The PAC asked Mr. Brangman to look at claims that spending on renovations at college president Dr. Charles Green's college-provided home, Shamrock Cottage, was excessive; that Dr. Green's membership of an exclusive private members' club was being paid for out of the public purse without proper approval and that taxpayers were picking up the tab for his personal telephone and electricity bills.

The chairman was still investigating the allegations when he was told in September by Ms Butterfield - newly appointed as Education Minister at the time but moved to a different Ministry after the PLP leadership change - that his services were no longer required.

His "partial report" reveals deep concern with the way finances are handled by the college. He claims that chief financial and operations officer Lloyd Christopher told a PAC meeting this year that he approved payment of the membership at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and for Dr. Green's utility bills without the written instruction of the Board of Governors and knowing that neither were in the president's contract.

He writes that those actions "suggest clearly that the college knowingly is spending the public funds without compliance to the Financial Instructions of the Government of Bermuda".

He adds: "This action alone potentially places the college, who receives an annual grant from the Government, at risk of being accused of mismanaging the taxpayers' funds and not directing them in the best interests of the students."

Acting Auditor General Barry Neilson told this newspaper that quangos such as the college are not required by law to abide by the Financial Instructions but that those rules "provide a minimum level of financial control that would be the responsibility of any organisation".

Elsewhere in his report, Mr. Brangman says Dr. Green - an American Vietnam veteran who accepted the post of president for an annual salary of $136,000 in 2004 - ordered a $2,500 flat screen television for his office without approval and despite knowing the college was strapped for cash at the time.

"Clearly the system is being manipulated against the better interest of the college and the community it serves," writes Mr. Brangman.

The report is critical of the way extensive renovations at Shamrock Cottage - costing at least $380,000 and possibly as much as $500,000 - were accounted for and alleges that the College Board never discussed or approved the payment of the yacht club membership or the utility bills.

"There is no record of any memberships ever paid for by the college for any president," writes Mr. Brangman.

He concludes that an annual audit to ensure the college is complying with the Government's Financial Instructions and separate scrutiny of how the college's annual $17.2 million Government grant is being spent is required.

"Without these steps accountability and credibility at the college will never be fully restored and there will always remain a shadow of doubt on proper financial and best professional practices."

Mr. Brangman has indicated that he will discuss his findings after the PAC presents its report to the House of Assembly later this month.

PAC chairman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin has said she is also unable to comment on the investigation while it is ongoing.

Mr. Christopher did not respond to requests for comment.