Tourism assistant director Randolph Horton will quit Government at the end of the year.

The Royal Gazette understands that Mr. Horton, who was cleared of fraud charges earlier this year, has reached a six-figure settlement with his employer and is considering throwing his hat into the political ring.

The 52-year-old veteran civil servant was suspended from his post at the Tourism Department in June, 1995 after he and taxi driver Weldon Dowling were accused of conspiring to defraud the Accountant General of some $3,000 in expenses claimed.

But at the conclusion of the trial, in June this year, Senior Magistrate Will Francis ruled that he was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt whether Mr.

Horton committed fraud or just exercised poor management in failing to verify Mr. Dowling's taxi tours.

As a result of Mr. Horton's vindication, Mr. Dowling was also found not guilty since a conspiracy charge requires at least two people to be involved in the act.

Tourism officials have remained tightlipped about Mr. Horton's future in the department since his acquittal.

They have referred inquiries to Cabinet Secretary Leopold Mills who yesterday declined to comment on the settlement.

"It is a matter which is receiving urgent attention at the moment. That is about as far as I can go,'' Mr. Mills stated.

But Mr. Horton's lawyer, Julian Hall, confirmed that his client would be retiring as of December 31.

"He went through a very arduous process in the run-up to that trial during which he was obviously given an opportunity, an unwelcome one, but an opportunity to assess his life and the direction he wanted it to take,'' Mr.

Hall told said. "It wouldn't be difficult to understand why under the circumstances he would not want to continue either in tourism specifically or working for Government generally. It was a very bad and nasty experience he was put through.

"And after considering this, he decided there were other careers that he could still develop.'' Mr. Hall said he concluded some ten days ago negotiations between Government and Mr. Horton on a settlement with which Mr. Horton was "more than happy''.

But he refused to comment on the settlement and Mr. Horton's future plans, only saying: "I'm sure he (Mr. Horton) will state in due course exactly what his plans are. He is currently actively involved as manager of the Bermuda National Cricket team (which competed in the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica last week). That is an occupation that he is increasingly devoted to these days, but there are other things I'm sure he will be doing.'' Mr. Horton -- who has served in Government for some three decades, including close to 20 in education -- has been driving a taxi since his suspension.

But sources said with his multi-talented background he is expected to explore other areas, including politics and sports-related ventures.

Mr. Horton, who lives in Bailey's Bay, could be a likely candidate for the Progressive Labour Party in Hamilton West, should their legally-embroiled Trevor Woolridge not be available, sources added.

Randolph Horton