Potential jurors in the trial of an American accused of swindling the Bermuda Government out of $1.4 million heard she stashed $26,000 cash in her underwear on a trip to the Island.

Judge Laura Taylor Swain told the jury panel Teketa Thompkins travelled from Georgia, US, to Hamilton in a bid to deliver $30,000 to Bermudian co-conspirator Harrison Isaac Jr.

“Thompkins secreted $26,000 in her undergarments beneath two pairs of pants,” she said of the discovery after Thompkins arrived.

The 65 people undergoing a selection process at the United States District Court, Southern New York, were told Isaac was a Bermuda Government employee at the relevant time.

The prosecution case is that the pair wire-transferred $1.4 million out of a bank account held by the Bermuda Government with the Bank of New York.

The money — obtained by Isaac using at least two cards for the account — is said to have been channelled into accounts controlled by two of Thompkins’ companies, All Brand New Inc and Simply Perfection Inc, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Judge Swain said Thompkins, 33, from Georgia, caused a large portion of the funds to be sent back to Isaac.

She allegedly did this through wire transfers to his accounts, writing at least one cheque payable to him and withdrawing a large sum of cash.

She is also accused of transferring money between her personal and company bank accounts before withdrawing the funds and sending them back to Isaac.

Thompkins faces nine charges — one of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and launder money, five of wire fraud and three of money laundering.

They span a period from August 2003 to April 2004. She denies all the accusations.

During the jury selection process yesterday, a list of those expected to feature as witnesses or in evidence during the trial was read by the judge.

Names included Accountant General Joyce Hayward and former Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser, as well as members of Bermuda Police Service and the FBI.

The potential jurors were asked 53 general questions to ensure they are capable of being fair — including whether they were biased against the Bermuda Government and whether experience of the Island would affect their impartiality.

They next faced individual quizzes by the judge spanning their education, employment, family members, hobbies and even their favourite TV shows. The latter question prompted answers ranging from ER<$> and Law and Order to reality shows Survivor and America’s Next Top Model. <$>

During the selection process, set to continue today, lawyers for both sides will have chance to reject some members of the panel without giving reasons. A total of 12 jurors and two reserves will eventually be chosen.