Elizabeth Christopher will no longer be representing Terrance Smith, who faces 49 charges of defrauding the Bermuda Housing Corporation. Ms Christopher requested to be ?taken off the record? in Supreme Court yesterday because she believed Smith ?did not have sufficient resources? to cover his legal costs. She also said Smith was concerned she would not have enough time to work on the case which is expected to take up to six weeks with 32 prosecution witnesses when it begins on February 20.

Chief Justice Richard Ground accepted Ms Christopher?s request saying it was done in a timely fashion. Mr. Justice Ground said he would consider delaying the trial for one week if Smith?s new lawyer needed extra time to prepare.

Smith, of Tee Street, Devonshire, was sacked from the BHC almost two years ago along with former general manager Raymonde Dill after a months-long investigation into the Government quango revealed corruption and mismanagement. He is accused of defrauding the BHC of $1,393,291.

In all the charges, it is alleged he falsely pretended BHC purchase orders were genuine to induce corporation staff to pay cheques to carpenter Steven Barbosa with intent to defraud.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between September 20, 2000, and February 27, 2002. Smith is the only person charged in connection with the BHC fraud investigation.

In July 2004 the Crown froze Smith?s assets including his luxury three-storey home in Devonshire. Smith indicated that he was trying to secure an overseas QC.