Butterfield executive who is alleged to have stolen more than two million dollars from his employer.

David Alexander Diggins, 49, of Somerset, was employed at the bank as a senior manager responsible for international and foreign loans.

He has pleaded not guilty to stealing $2,812,500. He has also denied obtaining the money under false pretences and with intent to defraud and inducing Mary Faries to deliver the money to New Way Property Ltd. without proper authorisation on August 29 last year.

Puisne Judge Richard Ground queried potential jurors yesterday to ascertain if they had worked for the bank since January, 1990.

Jurors were also asked if they or any of their close family -- a daughter, son, sister or brother -- had worked with or under any of the key bankers who are set to give evidence later in the trial.

These key witnesses include Mrs. Faries, Hugh Masters, Michael J. Collier, Michael Moniz, Stephen Kempe, and Daniel Outerbridge.

If anyone answered in the affirmative they were excused from service. One female juror who was initially accepted was stood down after she told the court that she would be travelling on business in early March.

Another self-employed landscaper was also excused after he told the court that his business would suffer adversely if he spent two weeks on the panel because he has no other employees.

A third juror told the court that he knew Mr. Collier and another key witness "socially'', through boating and parties but this, Mr. Justice Ground ruled, was not enough to render him unfit for jury service.

Diggins is represented by lawyer Julian Hall. Barrie Meade and Nita Grewall appear for the Crown. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

David Diggins