Businessman Vin Gupta is being tipped as the next US Consul General in Bermuda.

Mr. Gupta is an Indian-American from Omaha in the US state of Nebraska.

According to an American newspaper report, Mr. Gupta has been ensnared in controversy over funds he provided a Democratic Senate candidate.

Yesterday current US Consul General Robert Farmer said he was aware of a report Mr. Gupta had got the Bermuda post.

But he added: "I've been in touch with the White House and they can neither confirm nor deny it.'' Mr. Farmer said he had no knowledge about any controversy over funds involving Mr. Gupta.

"He is a very successful executive in Omaha.'' The Royal Gazette was yesterday unable to contact Mr. Gupta, an executive with American Business Information Inc. in Nebraska.

Mr. Gupta was linked with Bermuda by last Friday's Washington Post .

The paper's "In the Loop'' gossip column carried a list of diplomatic appointments, claiming US President Bill Clinton had given Mr. Gupta the Bermuda job.

It stated: "One of the biggest plums, the Consul General spot in Bermuda -- complete with the mansion and the beach front and membership of all golf clubs -- is going to Vin Gupta, of Omaha, founder of American Business Information Inc.

"Some questions had been raised about the contributions Gupta funnelled to Nebraska Democratic Senate candidate Ben Nelson from Gupta's three sons' trust funds.'' The report added: "That might be a good topic for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to bring up, but the Bermuda job does not need Senate confirmation.'' Al Kamen, who compiled the column, told The Royal Gazette he received his information from reliable "folks in the administration''.

"I think the information that Clinton selected Vin Gupta is pretty solid.'' Mr. Kamen said nobody from the White House had told him the report of Mr.

Gupta's appointment was inaccurate.

Jokingly, he added the Bermuda job was seen as the second best overseas assignment after "the Vatican''.

Mr. Farmer said the "In the Loop'' column was generally fairly accurate and he believed Mr. Gupta could well be his replacement.

But he added: "I understand there were some mistakes in this particular column.

"As far as the report on the Bermuda post goes I cannot confirm nor deny it.'' New US Consul Gen'l From Page 1 Mr. Farmer said the White House had told him the paperwork on the Bermuda job had not been approved.

He added the post needed confirmation from the Senate -- contrary to the Washington Post report -- although prospective appointees did not have to appear before it.

Mr. Farmer is to leave Bermuda this summer, possibly in August or September, after the State Department ruled he should serve for three years.

His three years will be completed on August 24.

"To my way of thinking it is one of the best jobs in the US Government,'' Mr.

Farmer said recently.

News of his move earlier this year ended speculation over his future following President Bill Clinton's re-election.

He is one of 37 political appointments who were told they would be recalled after three years.

Mr. Farmer was appointed in 1994 after raising $60 million as the treasurer of Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign.