US officials have asked Bermuda to turn over a Government consultant who is wanted for alleged white collar crimes said to involve more than $20 million.

The extradition of Lawrence William Anderson was requested during the daily Plea Court session in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Crown counsel Charlene Scott appeared on behalf of both the US Government and the US Consulate General.

Anderson, 61, of Canada was arrested last Friday and detained at Hamilton Police Station after local US officials revealed the outstanding charges of fraud, false statements, conspiracy and money laundering which allegedly took place in the US some 15 years ago.

According to the US Consulate General, extradition proceedings will not be undertaken in Canada.

Anderson has been employed as an education and tourism advisor to the Department of Management Services since last November.

But, in a prepared release, a Government spokesperson said Anderson was due to finish his five-month contract in "a few days''.

After hearing bail arguments from Anderson's lawyer, Saul Froomkin, and Ms Scott, Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered Anderson, who has no previous convictions, to be released on $25,000 bail with one like surety.

Mr. Francis also told Anderson that he had to surrender all of his travel documents and report to Hamilton Police Station daily.

In the prepared statement released yesterday, Government said it will not terminate Anderson's contract as a result of the proceedings.

The statement described Anderson as a "skilled officer'' whose work with the Department of Management Services was of a "very high calibre''.

But both Education Minister Jerome Dill and Immigration Minister Quinton Edness declined to comment when contacted yesterday.