A second family has decided to hire a lawyer after a story carried on ZBM radio and television was found to be false.

And the Stewart family have written a four page letter to Police Commissioner Colin Coxall in attempt to "set the record straight.'' Michael Stewart said that ZBM had no right to air a story about his wife and a senior Police officer because it had the effect of "re-trying her.'' The story, which ran on ZBM radio and television, implied that a senior officer in the Criminal Investigations Division was suspected of impropriety when he handled some money taken from Mr. Stewart's St. George's home.

Although the officer was not named, Mr. Stewart claimed that the story left no doubt that it referred to his wife's case.

His wife, Ann Stewart, pleaded guilty to removing a sum of money from AS Cooper and Sons and received a four month prison sentence.

Mr. Stewart said that Police removed a quantity of Bermudian cash from his home because at the time it was thought it was connected to the sum removed from AS Cooper.

Later it emerged that the money taken from AS Cooper was American money.

Consequently, Police returned the Bermudian money to Mr. Stewart last March in the same state.

"The radio not only made a clear reference to the Inspector, but to the store, the case and my wife,'' Mr. Stewart wrote.

"This was done in a very, very skilled way without naming names, but at the same time leaving no doubt as to who they were referring to.'' After two trips to ZBM's news room and speaking to News Director Darlene Ming, Mr. Stewart said that the news outlet agreed to drop the "story'' and issued an apology.

But he said: "Some apology! A short reference to a top CID officer only and nothing about Mrs. Ann Stewart and AS Cooper.

"My wife has left prison, is working hard and is well liked at work by management and staff.

"(She) was at work and heard this story as it was played over the loudspeakers.

"It caused her immense distress and left her in tears even though staff and management knew of her `past'.'' Mr. Stewart said that he will be speaking to a lawyer because he was dissatisfied with the apology ZBM offered.

This marks the second time in recent weeks that ZBM has been the subject of controversy because of inaccurate reporting.

Last week The Royal Gazette reported that a Bermudian man who lives in the Philippines is considering legal action for libel against ZBM and VSB radio and TV stations.

Lawyer Dennis Dwyer, of Hector, Dwyer and Associates, confirmed that he had been consulted and was considering bringing an action for damages.

The move comes after both VSB and the Bermuda Broadcasting Company carried stories claiming John Clarke faced life in jail if convicted of alleged drugs offences -- a story proved to be completely without foundation. VSB offered an apology for the story -- which ran one month ago -- last Wednesday.

Mr. Dwyer said he had earlier written to both VSB and the BBC demanding a retraction as the "main thrust and immediate step.'' A close relative of Mr. Clarke's told The Royal Gazette last week that the story was "devastating'' to Mr. Clarke's family and said the offenders deserved to be "thoroughly embarrassed.'' She added: "It is just totally unfair that the media should interfere with someone's life and broadcast information which is totally untrue. It's completely unethical.'' RADIO RAO TELEVISON TV