an order by Labour and Home Affairs Minister barring him from entering the Island.

Convicted by a Massachusetts court of embezzling $150,000 from Hamiltonian Hotel and Island Club investors, Mr. Stavisky was put on Bermuda's official stop list last year.

But a Supreme Court writ brought yesterday against Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman by Mr. Stavisky referred to a direction made by the Minister on October 24 last year.

When contacted at his Boston home yesterday, Mr. Stavisky admitted he returned to the Island last week to sign an affidavit.

But he claimed he had not yet seen the final draft nor knew the grounds on which the Minister's order would be contested.

"It bothers me tremendously and is beyond my comprehension how the whole issue got to this level,'' he said.

His lawyer, Mr. Julian Hall was unavailable for comment.

Last week's visit is the second since Mr. Stavisky was placed on the stop list.

In December, Mr. Pearman granted Mr. Stavisky a final visit to Bermuda after his lawyer argued he be allowed a hearing before being barred from the Island.

Although Mr. Pearman said an appeal was heard in October and dismissed, Mr.

Stavisky insisted he had not yet been granted a hearing.

Yesterday Mr. Pearman said he was unaware a writ had been filed.