A US District Court will next month examine whether a multi-million dollar lawsuit should be dismissed against one of the Island's newest residents.

John Kent Cooke, the former president of the US National Football League's Washington Redskins, is one of the targets of a suit filed by a New York real estate developer.

Howard Milstein alleges that Mr. Cooke and former Redskins general manager Charley Casserly illegally thwarted his bid to buy the team.

Mr. Cooke, 57, has since contended that the lawsuit must be dismissed because he has moved to Bermuda.

US District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ruled last week that Mr. Cooke will have to testify at a November 4 hearing when the court will attempt to learn more about Mr. Cooke's move to the Island and his intentions behind it.

If Mr. Cooke convinces the court that he is a resident of Bermuda, Mr.

Milstein's suit would likely be dismissed.

Mr. Milstein has claimed in legal papers that Mr. Cooke moved to Bermuda to avoid paying District income taxes on his share of his father's estate, believed to be around $60 million.

His father, Jack Kent Cooke, died in April 1997.

The Redskins were the biggest asset in the elder Mr. Cooke's estate. Mr.

Milstein won the bidding for the team, beating out John Cooke and others with a bid of $800 million.

But Mr. Milstein's purchase did not receive the required approval of National Football League owners. Mr. Milstein's minority partner, Bethesda businessman Daniel Snyder, eventually led a group that purchased the team for $800 million in May.

Bermuda will not be drawn into the legal battle unless called upon to by the US, Attorney General Lois Browne Evans has confirmed.