Bermudian Harrison Isaac, Jr. (pictured) pleaded not guilty in a New York court yesterday to charges relating to the theft of a record $1.9 million from the Bermuda Government.

Isaac was arraigned before judge Laura Swain in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Isaac, 34, of Crawl Point Lane, Hamilton Parish, who is currently being represented by State defence attorneys, will return next month for a pre-trial conference while the trial is likely to be held later this year.

He has denied one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of access device fraud and could face a maximum 280 year sentence if convicted. It is alleged Isaac, a management accountant in the Accountant General?s office, stole $1,904,988.56 between May, 2003 to April, 2004 from the Bermuda Government?s account in the Bank of New York. Only $300,000 of the money Isaac is alleged to have stolen has been found and none of it has been returned.

Isaac had been setting up an account for the Government required by post-9/11 rules on handling of US dollars.