The finance controller who was leaving the country with US$14,000 (nearly $3 million), which he had removed from the Princess Hotel, where he was employed was yesterday released on station bail while the police conduct further investigations into the matter.

Stabroek News learnt from a senior police official yesterday that investigators are awaiting the completion of an audit being done by the hotel.

The Turkish national, said to be in his 50s, was held on Tuesday with the US currency at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri, minutes before he was scheduled to leave the country on a Delta Airlines flight bound for New York. He was stopped and held by police after a simple larceny report was made by the hotel’s management.

He was subsequently taken to the CID Headquarters, Eve Leary where he was questioned and reportedly told investigators that the money he had in his possession was what was owed to him by the hotel.

The man began working at the hotel about two months ago.