The daughter of Dennis Pamplin's claims her father is innocent and says she doesn't appreciate her step-mother calling him 'worthless'.

Tanzania Pamplin contacted The Royal Gazette yesterday morning saying she wanted people to know the truth about the situation.

According to reports from the Daily Record in Chatham, New Jersey, Pamplin, 57, husband of Deputy Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, was arrested with two other men, Ronald Ellis, a 38-year old Bermudian, and Mark Small, 40, of New York, last Tuesday on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy.

Police seized more than $98,000 in cash in what they call "a possible drug deal gone wrong".

Reports from New Jersey say two Chevrolet sport vehicles were involved in a high-speed chase heading west along Route 24 and may have been involved in an accident at on August 28.

When Chatham Police arrived, two men ran from the vehicles into the woods. Officer Larry Dillon caught up with the men who were later identified as Small and Ellis. The men accused each other of robbery when Officer Dillon approached them.

Small and Ellis both had in their possession white envelopes, one with cash coming out, according to reports. The envelopes were taken from them as the third man, Pamplin, stayed with the vehicles.

Police searched the vehicles and found more white envelopes which were also confiscated and all three men were taken in for questioning. The money, totalling more than $98,000, was sniffed by a narcotics dog revealing the alleged presence of drugs.

Ms Pamplin said: "I want people to know that my daddy was not caught on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy. He has proof of where his money comes from. He works very hard for his money with all his businesses in the States and Bermuda. He was not caught with $98,000."

She also expressed her upset at Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin's attitude toward her father.

"The statement with Pat calling my father worthless, I just don't appreciate it because she chooses to be with somebody that's so called worthless. Because of their personal life, she decided for political reasons to bring it up. She hasn't done anything to defend him knowing that he hasn't done anything wrong."

Ms Pamplin said it is her step-mother's choice to stay with her father. She added: "If she chooses to stay with a worthless man, that's her problem."

Ms Pamplin continued: "The truth needs to be said. I want everybody to let him come back on the Island and defend himself. He doesn't ask anybody for a dollar, so he can't be called worthless. He takes care of everything."

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said in response to her step-daughter's comments that she regretted calling her husband worthless.

"Tanzania's obviously going to get upset. I called him my worthless husband not meaning it in a derogatory sense. I can tell you that I have never done anything for political gain so please leave my politics out of that."

She continued: ""I don't mean he's worthless from that point of view. People know me and they know how I speak."

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said she has driven miles and miles to go and visit Pamplin at the Morris County Jail. She said she has spoken to him several times by phone since she was notified of his arrest.

However, she explained that she will not be getting involved in her husband's charges and has done everything she could have done.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin added: "It's too bad that she had to call you. It's what I said and it's the way I speak. If I had to retract a statement, worthless would be the one I would retract. I regret making the statement that way. It's just my figure of speech. When I'm frustrated I might say someone is useless or worthless."

Pamplin, Ellis and Small were taken to the Morris County Jail when they couldn't post the $75,000 bail each. It is expected they will be released today.