ERROR RG P4 21.1.2000 CLARIFICATION. Geneva Woodley, director of fundraising for the Friends of the Hospice, would like to point out that she is in charge of money-spinning efforts for Agape House. Yesterday The Royal Gazette reported that Winnifred Richards -- who faces tax evasion charges in her native Canada -- has stepped down as chairman of the fundraising group, but she took no direct role in Ms Woodley's job.

An alleged Canadian fraudster has quit as head of fund raising for Bermuda's hospice, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Winnifred Richards -- who faces 22 charges of income tax evasion in Nova Scotia -- was chairman of the Friends of the Hospice, which raises cash for Agape House.

Mrs. Richards stepped down following concern from people close to the charity that the charges could affect its money-spinning activities.

One insider -- who asked not to be named -- said staff at the hospice met on Monday to register concern that Mrs. Richards was in a front-line position at the hospice, despite facing tax evasion charges in Canada.

The insider added: "People said it was a shame she was still on the board and that she was in control of all that money in the circumstances.'' She accepted that Mrs. Richards was innocent until proven guilty of the charges in Canada and that there was no suggestion of impropriety concerning hospice funds.

But she insisted: "It is right that she should at least temporarily step down until her name is cleared of this.'' The insider added, however: "The board feels that, because of what she's done for the Friends of the Hospice, she should stay.'' But she said: "She is the one who signs all of the cheques which go out -- and we're afraid this might reflect on the Hospice.'' Yesterday Agape House co-ordinator Kym Burns confirmed that Mrs. Richards, who lives in a luxury Hamilton Parish condo with husband Leslie, had left her post.

Ms Burns said: "She has stood down in that role at this time.'' But she referred all further questions to Hospice board member Jane Bermingham who declined to comment.

Neither Mrs. Richards nor Mr. Richards could be contacted by The Royal Gazette yesterday.

According to Canadian reports, Mrs. Richards cannot be extradited to Canada because there is no treaty between it and Bermuda.

But legal experts in Bermuda insisted that extradition was possible -- although income tax may not be covered by the agreement.

The tax evasion charges were laid in 1996 when Mr. and Mrs. Richards were the president and vice-president, respectively, of Winlie Containers Ltd, Nova Scotia.

The firm went bankrupt in October of that year shortly after the Richards' were replaced as company heads.

Mrs. Richards was charged with failing to report Cnd$1.2 million in income for the financial years 1989-93 and failing to pay Cnd$380,000 in tax. She is also charged with causing her husband to make a deceptive statement in his tax return by failing to report income of Cnd$1.6 million during the same years and failing to pay $520,000 in tax. Mr. Richards faces no charges.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said she had not been contacted by the Canadian authorities -- but she said initial dealings would be between the Canadian government and the UK Government through Governor Thorold Masefield.

She added: "There will be responses if and when a request is made for assistance -- but it wouldn't go to the Minister's office. It would go through the Governor's office first.'' Ms Cox said she would not discuss individual cases and that she had no knowledge of the Richards matter.

But she added: "My information from the Canadian authorities is that, if there is a need to proceed, they have the machinery to do that.'' Ms Cox also confirmed that her Ministry also had powers to order overseas residents to leave the Island if it was merited.

She said: "The Ministry can always have regard to the proper conduct of a person -- but when there is an official notification or substantiated information, that would be when we would look at this.'' TAXES TAX