Former BHC property manager Terrence Smith appeared in Magistrates? Court yesterday for mention.

Mr. Smith, who was sacked following allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the quango faces 49 charges of fraud reaching almost $1.4 million.

Magistrate Archie Warner set the date for a preliminary investigation to August 20. Mr. Smith appeared briefly with his lawyer Liz Christopher.

This week the Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions closed their investigation into the scandal, which involved the use of public funds running into the millions.

Currently consultant to the DPP Kulandra Ratneser is reviewing files which could lead to criminal charges, although they do not involve anyone in the political arena.

Police said yesterday that evidence gathered over the past two years was not enough under existing legislation ? legislation which is nearly 100 years old ? to accuse many of anything other than bad ethics.

A preliminary investigation of the BHC first revealed ?apparent control weaknesses? in early 2002, leading Government to order the Auditor General to conduct a full investigation into the matter.