DUDLEY, TOPPER
1000 Frederketerg 13.50e
P.O. Box 756
7homee, US. VI 076060756
(344) 774-4422
v.
Plaintiff,
Defendant.
Case No. ST-15-CR-309
Hon. Michael C. Dunston
Presiding Judge
:fl
DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS THE INFORMATION
PURSUANT TO FED. R. CRIM. P. 12(b)(3)(B)(iv)
Defendant, Gov. John P. de Jongh, Jr., respectfully moves this Honorable Court pursuant
to Fed. R. Crim. P. 12(a)(3)(B)(iv) and Super. Ct. R. 7 for an order dismissing the Information
dated September 2, 2015. (Exhibit A),I
INTRODUCTION
The fact that the People's entire case against Gov. de Jongh hinges on a matter of
remedial English punctuation makes one thing perfectly clear: this case is not legitimately about
the criminal law. Instead, it appears to be a politically-driven and poorly conceived vendetta
initiated by the current Governor, whom Gov. de Jongh defeated handily in his last reelection
campaign in 2010. This sham prosecution is a disgrace both upon the Virgin Islands Department
of Justice and the Governor's Office.
The current Administration accuses Gov. de Jongh of stealing approximately
$490,000.00 from the public fisc and using the money to add value to his private home.
Ironically, in the short time the current Governor has been in office he has apparently already
I The instant motion is in addition to Gov. de Jongh's motion to dismiss the charges against him
as time-barred, filed on September 3, 2015. The People filed no opposition to that motion, and it
is far too late to do so now.
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spent such an obscene amount of Virgin Islands taxpayer money on so-called "living expenses" —
a $12,500.00 per month residential lease now superseded by the daily cost of a suite at the Virgin
Islands' most expensive hotel, the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas;2 $16,000.00 for limousine and car
service on a recent trip to New York City;3 $18,000.00 for air travel in connection with said trip;4
$5,300.00 for sheets and bedclothes;5 and $65,000.00 per year for the Governor's "personal
chef,"6 to name but a few — that it will quickly dwarf the amount at issue here, which consists of
security costs for the entire eight years that Gov. de Jongh was in office — and even then, much
of which Gov. de Jongh had long ago offered to repay.7
2
See Virgin Islands Daily News, Villa Mapp Controversy (June 24, 2015); see also
http://viconsortium.cornffeaturedkovernor-mapp-is-living-out-of-a-suitcase-at-the-ritz-carlton-
when-in-st-thomas-2/
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PO. Bak 758
Si.Thcoust U.S. V100804-075B
(340) 774-4422
3 See Virgin Islands Daily News, Mapo, Party Run Up $16,000 in Limo. Car Service Charges
(September 22, 2015).
4 See Virgin Islands Daily News, Jvlapp Uses Government Card for Beer. Hotels. Tickets
(September 21, 2015).
See id.; see also Si. Croix Source, Many Flying High on Taxpayers' Dime (Sept. 10, 2015)
(describing $87,000.00 in travel expenses linked to use of private jet service).
6 See Virgin Islands Daily News, Map) Has $65K-a-Year Chef on Taxpayer's Dime (July 6,
2015).
7 There has been no abatement in this apparent pattern of abuse. It was reported that the current
Administration leased a St. Thomas condominium for the personal use of our new Lieutenant
Governor — who already resides on St. Thomas — paid for with public funds and blessed by the
present Governor, who reportedly signed the lease. In a remarkable bit of hubris, the current
Governor acted over the advice of his own Chief Legal Counsel that doing so was illegal. Virgin
Islands Daily News, Potter Told in March Public Funds Not For Condo (Oct. 28, 2015). And
most recently, a lawsuit was filed against the Governor and others by his own Deputy Legal
Counsel alleging she was wrongfully terminated after responding to a request for public records
reflecting the Governor's inappropriate spending habits. Virgin Islands Daily News, Attorney
Sues Mapp Over Spending Records Fallout (Oct. 30, 2015). To the undersigned's knowledge,
neither the Governor nor Lieutenant Governor has yet been charged with any criminal conduct.
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People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 3 of 25
Just writing these words is infuriating. Doing so in defense of spurious criminal charges
leveled against a good man who devoted eight years of his life to high public service pushes
tolerance well beyond its reasonable limit.
For the reasons set forth below, the Information does not state a crime against Governor
de Jongh. The charges must be dismissed. Punishment of the individuals behind this sham
prosecution must await another day.
FACTS
As explained in Gov. de Jongh's September 3, 2015, motion to dismiss the Information
as time-barred pursuant to V.I. Code Ann. tit. 5, § 3541(a)(2), Gov. de Jongh is charged with one
count each of violating V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1662(1) and V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1663(1).
The allegations are based on events that took place in 2007-2008, that transpired entirely in the
public eye, and that were widely reported in the Virgin Islands Daily News and other local media
outlets.
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Shortly before he took office, Governor de Jongh decided to reside at his St. Thomas
home instead of Government House or Estate Catherineberg, neither of which had been the
residence of the Governor of the Virgin Islands for many years. He did so in large part because
the former was no longer configured as a house and the latter would require the expenditure of
millions of dollars in security and other improvements before it could be habitable by the de
Jongh family. Security improvements to the de Jongh residence, on the other hand, could be
constructed at a fraction of that cost.
In early January 2007, when Gov. de Jongh made his housing plans public, the V.I.
Department of Public Works solicited an opinion from Acting Attorney General Elliot "Mac"
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Davis questioning whether it was appropriate to expend public money on construction at Gov. de
Jongh's personal residence to maintain an appropriate level of security and protection for the
Governor and his family. Davis concluded that it was.8
On January 30, 2007, Robert L. Moorehead, Acting Commissioner of the V.I.
Department of Public Works, wrote a letter to Gov. de Jongh in his capacity as Board Chairman
of the V.I. Public Finance Authority. (Exhibit C.) Moorehead specified six construction projects
that required funding and the estimated cost of each, including the de Jongh security project and
the construction of vaults at the Eastern Cemetery in Red Hook. Moorehead requested that Act
No. 6427 be amended to permit spending on these projects. Notably, Act No. 6427 itself had
reprogrammed funds originally pledged to the Savan Gut Project (which was not "road"
construction) for use on the Nadir Bridge Flood Control Project, Mon Bijou Flood Control
Project and Blue Lightning/HIDTA Project — none of which involved the building or repair of
"roads." 2001 V.I. Session Laws, Act No. 6427, Section 22, at 148-149. Copied on the letter
was then-Senator Carlton Dowe, among others.
On March 21, 2007, Omnibus Bill No. 27-0039 was put to a vote in the Senate. The bill
containing the proposed amendment to Act No. 6427, designated Section 17, was sponsored by
Sen. Dowe. The text reads:
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P.O. Box 758
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SECTION 17. The sum of $1,305,000.00 is appropriated for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to
the Department of Public Works for engineering designs,
construction, repairs or the resurfacing or roads.
The sum
remains available until expended.
A copy of the January 2, 2007, opinion letter (the "Davis Opinion") is attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
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(Exhibit D (copy of Bill No. 27-0039 with "roll call" Senate voting record) (bold and italics
added).)
Most relevant for the Court's purpose here is the structure of the highlighted portion: —
No comma is placed between the noun "repairs" and the conjunction "or."
Although any Senator present could have asked for debate before voting on Act No.
6917, none did. Bill No. 27-0039 was passed unanimously by voice vote. (Id.)
As enacted into law, Act No. 6917 mirrors the language of Bill No. 27-0039:
The sum of $1,305,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the savings realized in SECTION 16 to
the Department of Public Works for engineering designs,
construction, repairs or the resurfacing of roads. The sum
remains available until expended.
DUDLEY. TOPPER
1000 FrOdedaberg e•0e
P.D. Da 756
St Thames. U.S. VA. 00804-0750
(S40) 774-4422
2007 V.I. Session Laws Act No. 6917, at 17 (bold and italics added). Unsurprisingly, the statute
mirrors the bill in its punctuation: again, no comma is placed between the noun "repairs" and the
conjunction "or."
On April 25, 2007, after Act No. 6427 was amended, Commissioner Designate Darryl A.
Smalls wrote to Julito Francis, Director of the V.I. Public Finance Authority, requesting that
Francis notify Commissioner Lynn Millin of the V.I. Department of Property and Procurement
that Act No. 6917 funds were available for use on the six projects previously identified by
Moorehead. (Exhibit E.)
Finally, on April 30, 2007, Director Francis wrote to Commissioner Millin that funding
for the six projects was available and the Department of Property and Procurement was required
to forward contracts, vendor certifications and the like per established procedure. (Exhibit F.)
Once these were approved, the Department of Public Works could submit vendor invoices for
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payment along with all appropriate certifications.
The inclusion of "construction" and "engineering designs" in Act No. 6917 permitted the
V.I. Department of Public Works to draw upon the $1,305,000.00 to pay for a variety of public
projects, including vaults at the Eastern Cemetery and drainage improvements both on St.
Thomas and St. Croix. As reported by local media at least as far back as 2009, approximately
$490,000.00 of Act No. 6917 funds were used to construct the security improvements at the de
Jongh residence. See Virgin Islands Daily News, Governor Points to Legal Review that OK'd
Security Improvements at Mafolie Home (July 7, 2009).
Realizing that the nature of some of the improvements were permanent and would last
beyond his term of office, Gov. de Jongh publicly announced that he would pay the Government
of the Virgin Islands the value of whatever remained permanently affixed to his property — i.e.,
the relocated and widened driveway and the perimeter fencing. See St. Croix Source, Gov. de
jongh Condemns 1O Report, Says Security Spending was Proper (February 16, 2010).9
Soon thereafter, then-Senator Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Jr., an especially strident
political opponent of Gov. de Jongh, initiated Senate hearings purportedly to investigate what the
media colorfully coined "Mafoliegate."
At the October 20, 2009, hearing in the Legislature, the Senate heard testimony from
Nicole Turner-Wilkinson, Chief Engineer for the V.I. Department of Public Works, which had
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pa Box 756
Thognits,
05664015/
(340) 774.4422
9 Gov. de Jongh had made this same announcement as far back as November 2009. See Virgin
Islands Daily News, De Jongh Mends Fences (Nov. 7, 2009) ("I will also be instructing the
attorney general to prepare a legal and binding agreement that sets forth my commitment to do
the following:
at the end of my term in office and the removal of whatever physical
improvements and equipment are removed, an appraisal of the value of what remains shall be
provided to me and my wife as the owners of the real property upon which the improvements
were made." (quoting Gov. de Jongh)).
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Si. Thanes, U.S. Vi. 02604-0756
(340) 774.4422
put the work up for competitive bidding.10 Ms. Turner-Wilkinson explained that of the three
options for housing Gov. de Jongh and his family, only one was economical: installing security
measures at the de Jongh residence. The first option, Government House, was not viable, as it
had been reconfigured into offices and meeting spaces and had limited space. The second, the
WICO mansion, Estate Catherineberg, had fallen into disrepair. The remedial and security work
necessary to house the de Jongh family there would have exceeded $2,000,000.00 in public
funds and taken between twelve (12) to fifteen (15) months to complete — during which period
the de Jongh family would have insufficient security. Improving the de Jongh property with a
guardhouse, perimeter fencing and an expanded driveway was expected to cost far less than the
Catherineberg project and the First Family would be able to reside there through the construction
process. Finally, Turner-Wilkinson testified that all aspects of the project had been the subject of
a competitive bidding process.
The hearings did not result in the censure of Gov. de Jongh, let alone a call for his arrest
and prosecution.
Donastorg then called upon the Office of the Inspector General ("OIG"), a branch of the
U.S. Department of the Interior, to audit the facts behind "Mafoligate." What the public did not
know at the time was that Hannibal M. Ware, OIG's Regional Manager, is Donastorg's cousin,
and Ware was instrumental in the OIG's decision to take up the matter and "fast track" the audit.
In January 2010, the OIG issued its report, titled Security Improvements at Governor of
the Virgin Islands Private Residence (hereinafter "OIG Report")."
First, the OIG Report acknowledged that "security is a necessity for any sitting
10 A copy of Ms. Turner-Wilkinson's testimony is attached hereto as Exhibit G.
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Governor." OIG Report (cover letter from Acting Inspector General Mary L. Kendall); see also
id. at 5 ("We recognize that security is a necessity for any sitting Governor. In fact, past Virgin
Islands governors have had some level of security at their private residences regardless of where
they officially resided while in office.").
Second, the OIG Report took note of the Davis Opinion (written not at the request of
Gov. de Jongh but that of Othniel Vanterpool, Director of Operations at the Department of
Public Works). Acting Attorney General Davis had opined that "the cost of security related
improvements to the Governor's residence may be properly incurred by the Government." Davis
Opinion at 1. Of course, the Davis Opinion predated all of the construction performed at the de
Jongh residence. (See OIG Report at 2.)
Under the heading "Public Funds Used Improperly," the OIG Report addressed what
would become the critical issue in this case: whether the Virgin Islands Legislature had
authorized the expenditure of public funds for the de Jongh security project. O1O Report at 2-3.
The OIG Report correctly notes that the funds had been reprogrammed by Act No. 6917.
Inexplicably, the OIG Report then misquotes the statute, part of an omnibus appropriations bill,
as follows:
In April 2007, the Legislature passed Act No. 6917,
reprogramming the $1.3 million [originally appropriated for the
Nadir Flood Control Project] for the specific purpose of
engineering design, construction, repair, or resurfacing of roads.
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SI.Thoffir. U8. VI 030040756
(340) 7744422
OIG Report at 2 (bold and italics in original).
On this, the most crucial issue in the case now before the Court, the OIG Report gets this
rather simple sentence materially wrong, resulting in an erroneous interpretation of its meaning:
ti A copy of the O1O Report is attached hereto as Exhibit H.
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DUDLEY, TOPPER
1000 Freclerkiteg Gado
P.O. Bac 758
8/Thane& U8. Vi. 000040758
040) 7744422
— that the $1,305,000.00 could be used only for roads, to the exclusion of any other type of
construction project.I2
As explained below, the addition in the OIG Report of a comma after the noun "repair"
and before the conjunction "or" is highly material to the charges against Gov. de Jongh — and
most regrettably, simply flat-out wrong. As the Court can see, Act No. 6917 itself inserts no
comma after "repairs" (the plural form used in Act No. 6917, erroneously quoted in the singular
in the OIG Report).
In the context of this case, the significance of the OIG Report's error cannot be
overstated.
The OIG Report goes on to discuss the alleged "legislative process" behind Act No. 6917
as relayed to the OIG by six unidentified "senators." (OIG Report at 2.) These anonymous
senators reportedly claimed that "the funds [reprogrammed by Act No. 6917] were intended for
the purpose of Virgin Islands road improvements[,]" particularly on St. Croix. Id. From its
erroneous reading of Act No. 6917's text and the post hoc comments of the anonymous
legislators, the OIG Report concludes: "Clearly, no part of the $1.3 million was to be used for
security improvements at the Governor's private residence — or for any other purpose." Id.
(bold and italics added).
As demonstrated below, the highlighted text shows either the depth of the OIG's
misunderstanding of Act No. 6917, or that the OIG Report was published illegitimately, as
deliberately inaccurate propaganda.
After reiterating that ensuring the safety of Gov. de Jongh and his family is a legitimate
12 The OIG Report also erroneously uses the singular for "design" and "repair" instead of Act
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(340) 7744422
public concern, the OIG Report ends by proclaiming "[t]he Executive Branch of Government ...
cannot independently determine the purpose for which public funds are used.
Only the
Legislature has the authority to appropriate public funds to pay for security improvements for
any governor." (OIG Report at 5.)
The OIG Report does not recommend that criminal charges be brought against Gov. de
Jongh, nor even that Gov. de Jongh personally pay the cost of the security to the Government —
rather, that responsibility is attributed to the "Executive Branch." (Id.)
In the four years that followed the issuance of the OIG Report, the parties connected to
"Mafoliegate" remained silent, save then-gubernatorial candidate Kenneth Mapp.
Mapp
repeatedly referred to the "Mafoliegate" controversy during his 2010 campaign.
The voters of the Virgin Islands were unimpressed. In November 2010, Gov. de Jongh
defeated Mapp and was elected to a second four-year term.
After the election Mapp reportedly told Gov. de Jongh that "the voters have spoken" and
had clearly rejected "Mafoliegate" as a basis for denying Gov. de Jongh a second term, and that
he considered the matter closed.
In July 2014, the Senate passed a Resolution criticizing Gov. de Jongh for the security
measures constructed at his residence and "urging and requesting" that he pay all of the original
cost of the security improvements at his residence, including approximately $50,000.00 for
electronic security equipment that the V.I.P.D. Department of Executive Safety would remove
from the de Jongh property as soon as his second term expired. Committee on Rules and
No. 6917's use of the plural form in both cases.
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Judiciary Bill No. 30-0042 (July 21, 2014).13 The Resolution did not suggest that the Attorney
General bring criminal charges against Gov. de Jongh.
In November 2014, Mapp was elected Governor of the Virgin Islands over the
Democratic Party nominee Donna Christensen.
In April 2015, his governorship over, Gov. de Jongh drew a check in favor of the
Government of the Virgin Islands in the amount of $202,831.60 to fulfill the pledge he had
made. The check was delivered to Government House along with an analysis of how the number
was arrived at, which included three separate appraisals by local real estate companies as to the
then-present value the construction added to the de Jongh property.
In May 21, 2015, then-Acting Attorney •General Terri Griffiths, Esq.14 called a press
conference announcing that her office was investigating criminal charges against Gov. de Jongh
based on the security improvements at the de Jongh residence and that the $202,831.60 check
had been returned as "rejected."
In late May 2015, Griffiths stepped down (or, according to some sources, was forced out)
as Acting Attorney General. Gov. Mapp then nominated former Superior Court Judge James S.
Carroll III to the position.
Judge Carroll and Gov. de Jongh's counsel spoke by telephone concerning Griffiths'
press conference. Counsel reminded Judge Carroll that Gov. de Jongh had always intended and
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St Thema 1St V.1.00631-0756
(040) 774-4422
13 A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto as Exhibit I.
14 Griffiths took the post after Gov. Mapp's first choice, Soraya Diase-Coffelt, abruptly resigned
in January 2015, The nomination of Griffiths resulted in what has been described as an "open
revolt" by the VIDOJ staff. See http://viconsortium.comifeatured/virain-islands-doi-in-open-
revolt-after-mapp-appoints-terri-griffiths-as-acting-attomev-general/ .
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publically stated his intention to pay the Government the present value of the structures that
remained on his property after he was out of office. Counsel asked Judge Carroll to examine the
case file and to consider recommending to Gov. Mapp that the check be accepted and the matter
dropped. Judge Carroll assured counsel he would look into the matter.
Counsel never heard back from Judge Carroll.
Instead, in early August 2015, Gov. Mapp asked Carroll to step down. The timing
strongly suggests that Mapp did so because Judge Carroll had concluded that "Mafoliegate" was
not a criminal matter. Mapp then nominated Attorney Claude Walker for the position of Acting
Attorney General. St. Croix Source, Attorney General: Another One Bites the Dust (August 1,
2015).
It appears that in Walker, Gov. Mapp found the right person to do his bidding. On
August 18, 2015, Gov. de Jongh was arrested for purportedly violating V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, §
1662(1) and V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1663(1).
ARGUMENT
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A.
Rule 12 Standard
Simply put, the alleged facts contained in the Information drawn up at the leisure of the
Attorney General must set forth all of the elements of the offense charged or the Information
must be dismissed. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 12(a)(3)(B)(iv); United States v. Enmons, 410 U.S. 396,
400 (1973) (upholding dismissal of indictment alleging Hobbs Act violation where the
defendant's conduct alleged by the government was not "wrongful" as defined by the statute);
United States v. Schmidt, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24628, •5-6 (D.S.D. Nov. 2, 2004) ("To
convict Defendant under § 3146(a)(1), the Government must prove that: 1. He had been released
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on bail pending trial; 2. He was required to appear before a court; and 3. He knowingly failed to
appear. Neither 18 U.S.C. § 3141, et. seq. nor the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, see Fed.
R. Crim. P. 46, authorize the United States Marshal's Service to grant bail or release a criminal
defendant on conditions pending trial. Defendant is therefore correct that the Marshal's Service is
not a `court' under § 3146(a)(1). Inasmuch as the Marshal's Service is not a 'court', failure to
appear before it, as ordered by this Court, does not violate § 3146(aX1)." (citations omitted)). If
the allegations do not support each and every element of the crime charged, the Information must
be dismissed. See United States v. Brownfield, 130 F. Supp. 2d 1177, 1184 (C.D. Cal. 2001)
(indictment under to 18 U.S.C. § 876 and 1 U.S.C. § 1 for sending letter to FBI via U.S. Mail
containing threat to another person dismissed as "the text and legislative history of both section
876 and section 1, relevant case law, and the longstanding principles of statutory interpretation
support prosecution under section 876 only when the threatening communication is addressed to
a person and not an agency of the federal government.").
As explained below, the allegations against Gov. de Jongh do not constitute a crime.
B.
The Relevant Statutes
In this case, there are three statutes that must be examined.
Count One charges Gov. de Jongh with violating Section 1662(1) of Title 14 of the
Virgin Islands Code, which reads in relevant part:
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Whoever, being a public officer or person charged with the
receipts, safekeeping, transfer or disbursement of public monies —
(1) appropriates the same, or any portion thereof to his own use or
the use of another, without authority of law; ... shall be fined not
more than ten thousand ($10,000) dollars or imprisoned not more
than ten (10) years, or both, and shall be disqualified from holding
any public office.
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V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1662(1) (bold and italics added).
Count Two charges Gov. de Jongh with violating Section 1663(1) of Title 14 of the
Virgin Islands Code, which reads in relevant part:
Whoever — (1) being an officer charged with the receipt,
safekeeping, or disbursement of public money, neglects or fails to
keep and pay over the same in the manner prescribed by law; ...
shall be fined not more than ten thousand ($10,000) dollars or
imprisoned not more than ten (10) years, or both, and shall be
disqualified from holding any public office.
V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1663(1) (bold and italics added).
Both statutes were adopted in the original 1921 Virgin Islands Code and have changed
very little over the years except for the punishments for violation, which have been increased by
amendment.I5
The third statute, of course, is Act No. 6917, which specifically provides that
$1,305,000.00 in public funds are available to be spent "for engineering designs, construction,
repairs or the resurfacing of roads."
C.
The Rules of Statutory Construction
It is axiomatic that a statute must be enforced as written, because its plain language is
most relevant in determining legislative intent:
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In interpreting a statute, we commence with the plain language of
the statute. If the language is clear and unambiguous, there is no
need to resort to any other rule or statutory construction. Dodd v.
United States, 545 U.S. 353, 359, 125 S. Ct. 2478, 162 L. Ed. 2d
343 (2005) (holding that when the statute's language is plain, the
sole function of the Court, at least where the disposition required
by the text is not absurd, is to enforce it according to its terms.)
Accord Gilbert v. People, 52 V.I. 350, 356 (V.I. 2009). See also In
re Adoption of Sherman, 49 V.I. 452, 468 (V.I. 2008) ("In
IS A copy of Chapter 9 of the 1921 Code is attached hereto as Exhibit J.
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interpreting a statute, the court looks first to the statute's plain
meaning and, if statutory language is facially unambiguous, its
inquiry comes to an end") (internal quotation marks and citations
omitted).
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has held
consistently that legislative intent is presumably expressed through
ordinary meaning of the words it chose to use, and if the statutory
language is unambiguous, the plain meaning of words is ordinarily
regarded as conclusive.
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040 774.4412
Shoy v. People, 55 V.I. 919, 926-927 (V.I. 2011). Accord James v. de Jongh, 52 V.I. 202, 208
(Super. Ct. 2009) ("Courts must presume that a legislature says in a statute what it means and
means in a statute what it says there. Consequently, the first step in interpreting a statute is to
determine whether the language at issue has a plain and unambiguous meaning with regard to the
particular dispute in the case. When the words of a statute are unambiguous, then, this first canon
is also the last: judicial inquiry is complete." (citations and internal quotations omitted).
"The plain meaning of a statute will typically heed the commands of its punctuation."
Pawn 1st LLC v. City of Phoenix, 294 P.3d 147, 149 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2013) (internal quotation
omitted). Analyzing a statute for its plain meaning, then, requires an examination of its
punctuation. See In re Lehman Bros. Mortgage-Backed Securities Litig., 650 F.3d 167, 176 (2d
Cir. 2011) (to interpret the statute at issue, "we begin, as we must, with the statute's text,
considering the ordinary meaning of Congress's chosen language as informed by its
punctuation.").
The grammatical rule known as the "doctrine of last antecedent" is the concept most
germane to this Court's analysis. "Under that principle, qualifying words, phrases, and clauses
are to be applied to the words or phrase immediately preceding, and are not to be construed as
extending to and including others more remote." Elliot Coal Mining Co., Inc. v. Director, Office
EFTA01074720
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 16 of 25
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1000 Ft6961kiberg
P.O. Box 756
64.11wma. U.S. V.L 000044)756
(940) 774-4422
of Workers Compensation Programs, 17 F.3d 616, 629 (3d Cir. 1994) (internal quotation
omitted). "Under the normal rules of English punctuation for words in a series, it is the absence
of a comma or other punctuation before the coordinate conjunction 'or' that would indicate it and
its modifier, the limiting adjective clause, are to be treated separately rather than as part of the
whole series. Conversely, the presence of a comma before the last clause in the statute suggests
that the limiting clause applies to the entire series." Id. at 630 (citation and internal quotation
omitted). Accord• State v. Kluessner, 389 N.W.2d 370, 371-372 (Iowa 1986) ("Ordinarily,
qualifying words and phrases refer only to the immediately preceding antecedent. The absence of
a comma following 'special verdict' also suggests that the phrase 'upon which a judgment of
conviction is tendered' was intended to modify only 'special verdict' and was not intended to
travel further forward in the sentence to modify 'plea of guilty' or 'verdict of guilty.' (citation
omitted)); State v. Harm, 340 P.3d 1110, 1115 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015) ("Here, the enhancer
applies to 'any felony offense [committed] with the intent to promote, further or assist any
criminal conduct by a criminal street gang.' A.R.S. § 13-714 (emphasis added). In contrast, the
offense Harm was acquitted of penalizes commission of 'any felony offense, whether completed
or preparatory for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with any criminal street
gang.' A.R.S. § 13-2321(B) (emphasis added). In the absence of a comma separating
'preparatory' from "for the benefit of,' we must read the singular, unitary provision, 'preparatory
for the benefit of,' as a non-restrictive clause modifying 'any felony offense.'"); Pawn 1st LLC,
294 P.3d at 311-312 ("Among the rules of punctuation we consider is the 'last antecedent rule.'
As applied in Arizona, the last antecedent rule requires that a qualifying phrase be applied to the
word or phrase immediately preceding as long as there is no contrary intent indicated." (citation
EFTA01074721
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 17 of 25
and internal quotation omitted).
The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands applied the doctrine of last antecedent in
Fontaine v. People, 59 V.I. 1004 (V.1.2013). In Fontaine, the Office of the Territorial Defender
("OTD") moved the trial court for permission to withdraw from representation of an indigent
defendant. The motion was denied. On appeal, OTD argued that it had the right to unilaterally
withdraw under Virgin Islands Code Ann. tit. 5, § 3524 ("Section 3524"), which provides:
"When representing an indigent client in a criminal proceeding before the Superior Court, the
Public Defender shall counsel and defend such client at every stage of the proceedings against
him, and at any appeals or other remedies before or after conviction that he considers to be in the
interest of justice." Id. at 1009. Affirming the court below, our Supreme Court relied on the
doctrine of last antecedent to interpret Section 3524:
DUDLEY, TOPPER
WOO Fr9191440,40 owe
P.O. Bat 756
St. 77anas. U.S. V.I. 00604-0756
(340) 774.4422
Although not directly stating so, it appears that Onyejekwe
believes that the language "that he considers to be in the interest of
justice" modifies all language that precedes it.
We disagree. When interpreting a statute, courts should consider
the grammatical "rule of the last antecedent," under which `a
limiting clause or phrase ... should ordinarily be read as modifying
only the noun or phrase that it immediately follows." Barnhart v.
Thomas, 540 U.S. 20, 26, 124 S. Ct. 376, 157 L. Ed. 2d 333
(2003). "The last antecedent is the last word, phrase, or clause that
can be made an antecedent without impairing the meaning of the
sentence." Waid v. State ex reL Dept of Transportation, 996 P.2d
18, 23 (Wyo. 2000) (quoting 2A Sutherland Statutory Construction
§ 47.33 at 270 (5th ed. 1992)) (internal quotation marks omitted);
accord Newberry Station Homeowners Ass'n v. Board of
Supervisors, 285 Va. 604, 740 S.E.2d 548, 554 (2013). Applying
the rule of the last antecedent, the language in section 3524
Onyejekwe relies on — "that he considers to be in the interest of
justice" — would only modify "other remedies before or after
conviction," and not "appeals" or "every stage of the proceedings
against him."
EFTA01074722
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 18 of 25
Fontaine, 59 V.I. at 1009-1010.
Applying the doctrine of last antecedent in the matter at bar must lead to a dismissal of
the Information.
In this case, the probable cause affidavit signed by V.I.P.D. Special Agent Kenneth
Schulterbrandt Jr. dated August 17, 2015 (the "Schulterbrandt Affidavit" (Exhibit K)), was used
to support the charges in the Information. The Schulterbrandt Affidavit was obviously (but
without attribution) cribbed directly from the OIG Report.16 Schulterbrandt alleges that Gov. de
Jongh acted "without authority of law" (required under V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1662(a)) and
"neglect[ed] or failed] to keep and pay over the same in the manner prescribed by law"
(required under V.I. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 1662(a)) solely because the $490,000.00 used for the de
Jongh construction project was dedicated exclusively for "territorial road projects," and not
construction projects like the de Jongh security construction. (Schulterbrandt Affidavit ¶ 7.)
Schulterbrandt concludes that Gov. de Jongh "unlawfully diverted ... Act No. 6917 [funds] to
serve his own personal interests." (Id. ¶ 13.)
Maddeningly, Schulterbrandt concludes by making the exact same error made in the
OIG Report, asserting that Gov. de Jongh "willfully, knowingly and intentionally
misappropriated specifically earmarked public funds that belonged to the United States Virgin
Islands Government and were to be used solely for the purpose of engineering design,
O1./DLEY, TOPPER
IOW Frederiksberg OS.
PO. Box 756
St Thomas. US V1006140756
(340) 774.4472
16 Compare Exhibit K to Exhibit H, the OIG Report. That Schulterbrandt simply copied the
OIG Report for his probable cause affidavit is obvious. It is also deeply disturbing that
Schulterbrandt did not perform his own independent investigation. When the Court grants Gov.
de Jongh's pending motion for a probable cause hearing, the Court can ask Schulterbrandt under
oath why he gave such a rubber-stamp to a document the contents of which he plainly had no
personal knowledge.
EFTA01074723
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-I5-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 19 of 25
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1000 Fnic1/44100mg 0.050
12.0. Bat 756
St Tres. U.S. VI 00604-0756
(310) 774.4422
construction, repair, or resurfacing of roads in the United States Virgin Islands." (Id. ¶ 14 (bold
and italics added).)
Like the OIG Report he plagiarized for his affidavit, Schulterbrandt misspells "design"
and "repair," both of which are in plural form in Act No. 6917.
More importantly,
Schulterbrandt inserts a comma between the noun "repair" and the conjunction "of' that does
not appear in Act No. 6917. As the Attorney General would have it, then, Act No. 6917 must be
read as authorizing expenditure only on (1) engineering designs of roads; (2) construction Qf
roads. (3) repair of roads. or (4) resurfacing of roads.
Nonsense.
First if the Senate had intended to limit the expenditure of Act No. 6917 funds only on
roads, the statute would simply have read: "The sum of $1,305,000 is appropriated in the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2007, ... to the Department of Public Works for roads." The rest —
engineering designs, construction and repairs — would be mere surplusage. The law abhors such
a result. See DelRio-Mocci v. Connolly Properties, Inc., 672 F.3d 241, 249 (3d Cir. 2010) ("It is
a well known canon of statutory construction that courts should construe statutory language to
avoid interpretations that would render any phrase superfluous." (internal quotation omitted)).
As explained in detail above, the de Jongh construction project was not the only non-road
"construction" paid for with Act No. 6917 funds. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent
on vaults at Eastern Cemetery and for drainage projects on St. Croix and St. Thomas. (See
Exhibits C, E, F.) Act No. 6917 is plainly broad in scope and does not limit use of the
$1,305,000.00 appropriated only for "roads."
Second the Attorney General's recitation of Act No. 6917 (and that of Special Agent
EFTA01074724
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 20 of 25
Schulterbrandt and the OIG) fails to account for the actual words and punctuation of Act No.
6917.17 Indeed, the Attorney General goes beyond mere error by omission and writes into Act
No. 6917 punctuation and words that do not appear in the statute. At best this amounts to
recklessness on the part of the Attorney General; at worst, it exposes this case as a frame-up job
by Gov. de Jongh's detractors.
In any event, there is no comma after "repair" and before "or" in Act No. 6917.
Applying the doctrine of last antecedent, each noun — "engineering designs," "construction,"
"repairs," and "resurfacing" stand apart, and the qualifying phrases "of roads" solely modifies
the last antecedent in the sentence — i.e., "resurfacing." See Garza v. Sun Life Assur. Co. of
Canada, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60469, '23-24 (S.D. Tex. April 29, 2013) ("The Court can
discern no reason, grammatical or otherwise, why the last antecedent rule does not apply in the
case before it; the presence of a single comma between `infirmity or disease of any kind' and
`infection unless due to an accidental cut or wound' indicates that the modifying language
applies only to Infection.'"); Md. Dep't of the Env't v. Underwood, 792 A.2d 1130, 1139 (Md.
Ct. App. 2002) ("Section 9-276(a) imposes liability for reimbursement on the 'owner or operator
of the site or any other person who caused the tires to be stored or disposed of at the site in
violation of this subtitle.' Respondents' interpretation of this section would have the clause 'who
caused the tires to be stored or disposed of at the site in violation of this subtitle' modify all three
categories of potential responsible parties described in the statute, i.e. the 'owner,' the 'operator,'
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1000 FrodyloW49 ask
pa Bac TM
&Aleut
V.1.00604-0756
(340) 7744422
17 Almost amusingly, Schulterbrandt swears that the V.I. Department of Public Works relied
upon the January 2010 OIG Report when it told the V.I. Public Finance Authority in April 2007
that Act No. 6917 funds could be used for the de Jongh construction project. (Schulterbrandt
Affidavit 117.) Clearly, the Schulterbrandt Affidavit was drafted and executed in a most slapdash
fashion.
EFTA01074725
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 21 of 25
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1000 Freckgloberg Gale
P.O. Box 756
&Mows. US. V.1.006040756
(340) 774-4422
and `any other person.' That interpretation, however, ignores the clear meaning of the structure
and relationship of the words as they appear in the statute and does not acknowledge the
generally recognized rule of statutory construction that a qualifying clause ordinarily is confined
to the immediately preceding words or phrase - particularly in the absence of a comma before the
qualifying phrase. In consideration of that principle, we are unable to adopt Respondents'
interpretation." (citations omitted)); Doe v. Michigan Dep't of Corrections, 236 Mich. App. 801,
811, 601 N.W.2d 696 (Mich. Ct. App. 1999) (White, J., concurring) ("The absence of a comma
after 'private agency' in both the PWDCRA's and CRA's definitions of 'public service' supports
that the phrase 'established to provide service to the public' modifies only 'a tax exempt private
agency.' Qualifying words and phrases in a statute refer solely to the last antecedent in which no
contrary intention appears. In this instance, the modifying clause ('established to provide service
to the public') is confined to the last antecedent ('a tax exempt private agency'). Nothing in the
subject matter or dominant purpose of the statute requires a different interpretation.").
In sum, if there actually were a comma inserted into Act No. 6917 between the noun
"repair" and the conjunction "or," the statute might be interpreted in a way that favors the
Attorney General. It does not. And it is not the place of the Attorney General to rewrite Act No.
6917 to suit his fancy — or to advance someone's political or personal agenda.
The plain language of Act No. 6917 confirms that the funds at issue were available to
spend on the construction at the de Jongh residence. Therefore, Gov. de Jongh did not act
"without authority of law." Governor de Jongh's actions were completely within "the manner
prescribed by law." The Information does not state an offense. The charges under V.I. Code
Ann. tit. 14, §§ 1662(a) and 1663(a) must be dismissed.
EFTA01074726
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-I5CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 22 of 25
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1003 Frecledubet5 Gede
P.O. Box 756
St. WIGS US. VI 006050756
(340) 774-4422
Finally, Gov. de Jongh expects the Attorney General to offer in opposition statements by
some or all of the six anonymous senators referred to in the OIG Report who (we assume) will
attest to a contrary reading of Act No. 6917. The Court must not fall for the prosecution's
tainted bait.
"The general rule is that, in determining legislative intent, the views of individual drafters
are not considered as grounds upon which to construe a statute."
C-Y Devel. Co. v. City of
Redlands, 187 Cal. Rptr. 370, 374 (Cal. Ct. App. 1982). When a statute is vague, courts
sometimes turn to its legislative history to aid in its interpretation, but not, as here, when the
statute at issue is plain and unambiguous. See People v. Lake, 59 V.I. 178, 184 (Super. Ct. 2013)
("A court may "presume that the legislature expresses its legislative intent through the ordinary
meaning of the words it chooses to use, and if the statutory language is clear, it is not necessary
to look for congressional intent from legislative history."); accord C-Y Devel. Co., 187 Cal. Rptr.
at 374 ("An exception has sometimes been made where the drafters' views were clearly and
prominently communicated to the legislators at the time the measure was being considered for
enactment, on the theory that there was reason to believe that the other legislators were
influenced in their view of the bill by the drafters' communicated views, but the exception has
been largely confined to a setting in the Legislature where a limited number of legislators may
clearly be expected to be so influenced. The exception is also clearly confined to views
expressed while the measure was being considered, and does not concern expressions of
individual motivation made after the fact." (italics added)).
Act No. 6917 was not debated in the Senate. It was passed by voice vote as one section
of a multiple-provision omnibus spending bill containing a plethora of amendments, each
EFTA01074727
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 23 of 25
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1003 Frederksberg Gado
P.0.B04 758
Si. Thomas. U.S. VL 038040793
(340) 774-4422
sponsored by particular senators. Act No. 6917 was sponsored by Sen. Dowe, who was copied
on correspondence between the Department of Public Works, Department of Property and
Procurement, and the V.I. Public Finance Authority, all of which contained references to the de
Jongh security project. (See Exhibits C, E, F.) Apart from this correspondence, there is no
legislative history of record.
If the Attorney General proffers the statements of current and former senators who voted
on Act No. 6917 concerning their understanding of it, the Court must reject the proffer out of
hand as they are entitled to no weight. See Barber v. Thomas, 560 U.S. 474, 486 (2010) ("And
whatever interpretive force one attaches to legislative history, the Court normally gives little
weight to statements, such as those of the individual legislators, made after the bill in question
has become law." (italics in original)); Gustafson v. Alloyd Co., Inc., 513 U.S. 561, 579 (1995)
("Material not available to the lawmakers is not considered, in the normal course, to be
legislative history. After-the-fact statements by proponents of a broad interpretation are not a
reliable indicator of what Congress intended when it passed the law, assuming extratextual
sources are to any extent reliable for this purpose."); Veasey v. Abbott, 796 F.3d 487, 502 (5th
Cir. 2015) ("Moreover, the district court appeared to place inappropriate reliance upon the type
of postenactment testimony which courts routinely disregard as unreliable.").
The Court need not become embroiled in an unseemly debate over the credibility of
senators who did not even bother to place their supposed understanding of Act No. 6917 in the
legislative record. Such public servants as these have no business swearing to a purported secret
"understanding" of a statute they did not bother to question before casting their votes in favor of
— or in assisting the Attorney General in his quest for an illegal conviction.
EFTA01074728
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-15-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 24 of 25
Fortunately, the language of Act No. 6917 is unambiguous. It includes "construction" as
one of the permitted uses of its reprogrammed funds. Since the de Jongh security project
involved construction, Gov. de Jongh, the Department of Public Works, the Department of
Property and Procurement and the V.I. Public Financing Authority all acted with the appropriate
legal authority.
There is no reason to perpetuate the Attorney General's charade any longer. The
Information must be dismissed.
WHEREFORE, the Information dated September 2, 2015, must be dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: November 3, 2015
DUDLEY, TOPPER
1003 Frodoluteg GeN
P.O. Dm 758
SL Thris. UAL VI 008040756
(340) 7744422
DUDLE
OPP
and F
ERZEIG, LLP
Mich
C. Qu
(V.I.
No. 1101)
Law House, 1000 Frederiksberg Gade
P.O. Box 756
St. Thomas, VI 00804
Telephone: (340) 774-4422
Facsimile: (340) 715-4400
Email:
[email protected]
Counsel for Defendant John P. de Jongh, Jr.
EFTA01074729
People v. de Jongh
Crim. No. ST-I5-CR-309
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Information
Page 25 of 25
I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this 3d day of November, 2015, a true and exact copy of
the foregoing was sent via First Class U.S. Mail to:
AAG Quincy McRae
Chief, Criminal Division
AAG Daniel Huston
Department of Justice
48B-50C Kronprindsens Gade
GERS Bldg., 2nd Floor
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Attorneys for the People of the V.I.
With a copy via e-mail to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
DUDLEY, TOPPER
AND FEUERZE10, LLP
1000 Froderke0440 Gide
PA). Box 756
a We, Ult V100604-07%
(340)774-4422
EFTA01074730
EXHIBIT A
EFTA01074731
3407763494
RECEIVED
09/02/2815 03:07PM 3407154400
OUECEY
FEIJERZ
03:C0:26 p.m.
09-02-2015
2 /8
)
)
CRIMINAL NO. ST-IS-CR-309
Plaintiff;
)
CRIMINAL NO. ST-IS-CR-310
)
CHARGES:
vs.
—)-
2 Counts 14-V.I.C. §§ 1662(1 ),-11(a)
)
2 Counts 14 V.I.C. §§ 1663(1), 11(a)
)
JOHN P. de JONGH, JR., and
)
JULITO FRANCIS,
)
)
Defendants.
)
)
INFORMATION
The People Of The Virgin Islands Charges That:
COUNT ONE
On or about April 2007 through January 2009, JOHN P. de JONGH, JR., while aided
and abetted by Julito Francis, being a public officer or person charged with the receipt,
safekeeping, transfer or disbursement of public monies, appropriated the same, or any portion
thereof to his own use or the use of another, without authority of law, to wit: in his capacity as
Governor of the Virgin Islands he initiated the process of the conversion of public funds to
private use by the execution of contracts to convert Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars and
Twenty-Five Cents ($490,000.25) of governmental highway funds to the funding of
improvements to his private residence, in violation of VJ. CODE ANN. tit. 14 § 1662(1); V.I.
CODE ANN. tit. 14 § 11(a). [EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS]
EFTA01074732
3407763494
RECEIVED
09/02/2015 03: 07PM 3407154400
03:08:34 p.m.
09-02-2015
3 /8
people v. JOHN?. de IONG11. JR. & JULITO FRANCIS
CRIMINAL Nos. ST-I 5-CR-309 & ST-15-CR-310
Information
Page 2
COUNT TWO
On or about April 2007 through January 2009, JOHN P. de JONGII, JR, while aided
and abetted by Julito Francis, being a public officer or person charged with the receipt,
safekeeping,-transfer-or disbursement of public moniesurieglected or failed to keep and pay over- - --
the same in the manner proscribed by law, to wit: in his capacity as Governor of the Virgin
Islands he participated in the conversion of public funds to private use by the execution of
contracts to convert Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars and Twenty-Five Cents
($490,000.25) of governmental highway fluids to the funding of improvements to his private
residence without legislative authorization, in violation of V.I. CODE ANN. fit. 14 § 1663(1);
V.I. CODE ANN. tit. 14 § 11(a). [EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS]
COUNT THREE
On or about April 2007 through January 2009, JULITO FRANCIS, while aided and
abetted by John P. de Jongh, Jr., being a public officer or person charged with the receipt,
safekeeping, transfer or disbursement of public monies, appropriated the same, or any portion
thereof to his own use or the use of another, without authority of law, to wit: in his capacity as
Director of the Public Finance Authority of the Virgin Islands he participated in the conversion
of public funds to private use by authorizing Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars and
Twenty-Five Cents ($490,000.25) of governmental highway funds to be used for improvements
to Governor John P. De Jongh, Jr.'s private residence, in violation of V.L CODE ANN. tit. 14 §
1662(1); V.I. CODE ANN. tit. 14 § 11(a). [EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS]
EFTA01074733
RECEIVED 09/02/2015 03:07PM 3407154400
340)763494
03:08:44 p.m.
09-02-2015
4 /8
People v. JOHN P. de JONG!? JR. & !MIT() FRANCIS
CRIMINAL Nos. ST-I5-CR-309 & ST-15-CR-310
Information
Page 3
COUNT FOUR
On or about April 2007 through January 2009, JULITO FRANCIS, while aided and
abetted by John P. de Jongh, Jr., being a public officer or person charged with the receipts,
safekeeping, transfer or disbursement.of public monies, neglected or failed-to keep and pay over
the same in the manner proscribed by law, to wit: in his capacity as Director of the Public
Finance Authority of the Virgin Islands he participated in the conversion of public funds to
private use by authorizing Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars and Twenty-Five Cents
($490,000.25) of governmental highway funds to be used for improvements to Governor John P.
De Jongh, Jr.'s private residence without legislative authorization, in violation of V.I. CODE
ANN. tit. 14 § 1663(1); V.I. CODE ANN. tit. 14 § 11(a). [EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC
ACCOUNTS]
Respectfully submitted,
Acting Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands
DATED: Septvnber 2.2015
BY:, 9,04)4l
ceaA.#4
Assistant Attorney General
V.I. Department of Justice
EFTA01074734
EXHIBIT B
EFTA01074735
6-0 t/
34-38 Kmaptiadteas Cade
CERS Complex, 2" Floor
St. Tbomas,Y.L 00802
(340) 774-5668 Fax: (340) 7763494
Monday, January 22, 2007
Honorable Robert Moorehead
Acting Commissioner
Department of Public Works
8244 Sub Base
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
116040 Estate Castle Coaldey
Chrbdaaeted
St. Croix, V.1.00820
(340)773-0295 Fax: (340) 773-1425
Re:
Security related Improvements to Governor's Private Residence
A.G.O. File No. SOL-07-0154
Dear Acting Commissioner Moorehead:
Iv
1/40
Mr. Othniel Vanterpool, Director of Operations at the Department of
Public Works, recently advised this Office that Governor de Jongh intends,
during his term of Office, to reside at his private residence rather than the
Governor's official residence on Denmark Hill. He also advised that, as a result
of the Governor's decision, security related improvements will have to be made
at the Governor's private residence. Mr. Vanterpool requested advice on
whether the cost of such improvements may be properly incurred by the
Government. It is our opinion that the cost of security related improVements to
the Governor's residence may be properly incurred by the Government.
An expenditure of public funds is permissible, even if a private individual
derives a special benefit, as long as a public purpose is served and that public
purpose is the primary reason for the expenditure. See, e.g., State ex rel. Corbin
v. Superior Court, 767 P.2d 30 (Ariz. 1988); Duckworth v. Kansas City, 758 P.2d
201 (Kansas 1988). Also, it is well established that there is a public interest in
providing security for the Governor and protecting his person. See Times Mirror
Co. v. Superior Court, 813 P.2d 240, 253 (Cal. 1991); City of San lose v. Superior
Court, 88 Cal.Rptr.2d 552, 560 (Cal. 1999) (recognizing public interest in
protecting Governor's physical security).
COMMIX1* FLOOR. St 190NAS
VIRGIN MANN KM
MO CAME COAKLEY. tittICH CENTER SLOG. OTRISMCNITIA ft CROIX us. VIRGIN ISLANDS NIX
EFTA01074736
Honorable Robert Moorehead
January 22, 2007
Page 2 of 2
Thus, pursuant to the applicable authorities, public funds may properly
be expended to pay the cost of improvements at the Governor's private residence
for the purpose of protecting the Governor. Securing the protection of the
Governor is recognized as a valid public purpose and would be the primary
purpose in.making security improvements to his private residence. Since the
improvements to the Governor's private residence would serve a public purpose,
it is a permissible expenditure of private funds, even if the Governor may derive
a special benefit, such as appreciation of the value of his private residence.
ez, Corbin, supra, 767 P.2d at 33 (loan or expenditure of arbitrage earnings on
proceeds of industrial development bonds may be constitutionally permissible,
even if some private individual or organization thereby derives special benefit,
as long as public purpose is thereby served); Nichols v. South Carolina Research
Authority, 351 S.E.2d 155 (S.C. 1986) (because a private individual makes a profit
as a result of legislation does not change the public purpose into a private
purpose).
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please
contact me or Acting Solicitor General Paul Paquin at 774-5666.
Sincerely,
ektth
r•
cicAN0
Elliott M. Davis
Acting Attorney General
cc:
Honorable John P. de Jongh
Governor, US. Virgin Islands
Othneil Vanterpool
Deputy Commissioner of Operations
Department of Public Works
P:\Sollcitor
.
CeADATA\LIMIPS\Moorentad.CorSenitily.dac
EFTA01074737
EXHIBIT C
EFTA01074738
cSc
GOVERNMENT OF
iSIrr;
OFFICE OF
January 30, 2007
amtkommam...
8244 Si./8 BASE
ST. THOMAS, V.I. 00802-580S
Honorable John P. deJough Jr.
Governor of the Virgin Islands
Chairman of Board, Public Finance Authority
Office of the Governor, 21-22 Kongens Gade
St. Thomas, VI 00802
RE:
Funding Request
Dear Honorable Governor delongh:
TEL; (340) 7754844. Ext. 2071200
(3401774-1301
FAX: (340) 774.5889
The Department of Public Works is respectfully requesting your support and approval to
de-obligate funds in the amount of $1,305,000.00 from the 1992 Construction Bonds,
reserved for the Nadir Bridge Project, as amended by Act 6427.
With Senate approval, the funds will aid in the financing of the projects listed below.
Constriction of Security Booth & Road bnprovaneats
at Governor's Residence
Eastern Cemetery— Construction of Vaults
Goat WU Paving and Drainage Improvements
Route 82—Drainage Improvements
Planing & Design Contract for Leonardo Troonast Drive
Drainage Improvement of Plot ID at Estate Princess
(Estbnaecf Cat)
SIT
8275,000.00
STT
5350,800.00
SIX
$334,545.00
SIX
8135,000.80
STT
$200,000.00
SIX
5121,269.50
Tots!
$1,415,814.50
The Nadir Bridge Project is part three of a three-phase project. Phase one has been
completed; however phase two has not yet began. It is approximated that it will be at
EFTA01074739
Honorable Governor delongh
Funding Request
Page 2 of 2
minimum, three years before phase three can begin; therefore allowing significant time to
obligate other monies for that project.
The above-identified needs have been communicated to the Acting Director of the Public
Finance Authority.
Upon your approval, I am hereby requesting that you forward this request to the 271h
Legislature requesting that Act 6427 be amended
Thank you for your assistance and should you need any additional information pertaining
to this request, do no hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Robert
Acting Commissioner
RUNDMCNirDB/ANfdc
delay Nielsen, Deputy Commissioner of Engineering
Wystan Benjamin, Highway Program Manager
Dayna Clendinen, Deputy Commissioner of Administration
Cherrie W Cole. Acting Director Public Finance Authority
Carbon Dorm, Senator 27. Legislature
EFTA01074740
EXHIBIT D
EFTA01074741
-.
r
•
Bill No:
Territory of the Virgin Islands
REGULAFJSPECIAL SESSION 2007
ROLL CALL
00
Date:
-31.9 flog
Act. a 11-end's:Le (frie_ Vit6rn ±-6lark-I5 Ceded, +rift t .5eSpn P4 relaitinc -lo (Ple. eveic-
L096frile_. I ehaiXer
Pu-eto,(rcicrio Um. unceorrn
Conninf
Areta4-m
me 01N Jae. 0{-4ht (We Pub 54; 44 1c 3 emed-ton
iiilethry 40 me. virgrrr
£6landa
COnrwil %kr), ,)-(4- e- 3 6e &lion go“e-i AttetkLy 10 (111
Agt t4,,e 9 an eGISLATIYE HISTORY
tvtl I, is 4 O,1
5tu f (La appvpria,frans aid CV ov-4{C
RaP°
(a)
Introduced
and
sent
to
Committee
on
Date
(b)
Reported from Committee and sent to Rules on
(c)
Reported from Committee on Rules
(d)
Recalled front Committee by Special Order
(e)
Adopted on
(0
Rejected on
Reel
tgaktnenE
d
MEMBERS
YEA
NAY
ABSENT
NOT VOTING
DAVIS, Liston A.
'''WE, Carlton
FIGUEROA- SERVILLE, Juan
HILL, Louis Patrick
q
JAMES, Neville
5 .
JN. BAPTISTE, Norman
6
MALONE, Shawn-Michael
NELSON, Terrence
I g
OTTLEY, Basil
C3
RICIIARDS, Usic It
RUSSELL, Ronald, E.
1 0
WEBER, James III
I (
WESSELHOFT, Carmen M.
/ 2 "‘
WHITE, Celestine A. Sr.
13
.F.1.IAMS, Alvin L..
EFTA01074742
FLOOR
BILL NO. 027-t00429
Twenty-Seventh Legislature of the Virgin Islands
of the United States
-t-tgye4v;,^
MARCH 21, 2007
An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code, titlel section 14 relating to the Code Revisor,
title 1 chapter 17 relating to the Uniform Law Commission, title 2 relating to the Office
of the Code Revisor, title 3
section 408 relating to the Virgin Islands Heritage
Commission; title 3 section 706(c) relating to the reemployment of retirees and making
several appropriations and for other purposes
PROPOSED BY:
Senators Liston A. Davis, Carlton "Ital" Dowe, Juan Eigueroa-Serville,
Louis Patrick Hill, Neville A. James, Norman Jn Baptistc,
Shawn-Michael Malone, Terrence "Positive" Nelson, Basil Ottley, Jr.
Usie R. Richards, Ronald E. Russell, James A. Weber III, Celestino A. White, Sr.,
Carmen M. Wesselhoft and Alvin L. Williams
1
2
3
SECTION 1. Title 1 Virgin Islands Code section 14, subsection (b) is amended
4
by striking "and after the first occurrence of "Virgin Islands", by inserting after the
5
second occurrence of "Virgin Islands" "and the Code Revisor" and after "member" b
6
striking "of' and inserting a comma (,), and after "Governor" by inserting "the Code
lie it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands:
7
Revisor".
8
,teerei
9
10
EFTA01074743
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instances:
(a)
Section 301, subsection (a) is amended by striking the introductory,
sentence and inserting in its place a new sentence to read as follows: "There is
established in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for budgetary reasons only, the Virgin
Islands Commission on T Jniform State Laws. The Commission consists of five members
appointed or designated as follows:";
(b)
by redesignating the second sentence in paragraph (3) as the first sentence.*
in paragraph (b); and by adding paragraphs (4) and (5) to read as follows:
"(4)
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice's Designee;
(5)
The Code Revisor or the Code Revisor's designee"
(c)
Subsection (b) is amended by adding a sentence at the end of that
subsection to read: "The Commission shall also submit an annual budget as provided in
title 2 Virgin Islands Code chapter 2.
(b)
Section 303 is amended by adding subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c)
There is appropriated each fiscal year sufficient funds to pay the
Territory's membership dues to the National Conference of Commissioners of Uniform
State Laws and to pay the costs for each Conimission member to attend the annual
meeting of the National Conference as required by subsection (a)."
SECTION 3. Title .2 Virgin Islands Code chapter 10a section 302 (h) is amended
in the following instances:
"(a)
by striking the language in paragraph (5) and adding new language to read
SECTION 2. Title 1 Virgin Islands Code chapter 17 is amended in the following:
—;tif."fst
• ;
xx
;.1
EFTA01074744
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3
"Determine within the limits of appropriations, the quantities of slip laws and
volumes to be printed and published"; and
"(6)
Fix the prices at which the pamphlets and volumes provided for in this sections
may be sold, but the pamphlets and Volumes must be distributed free of charge to the
three branches of the Government.
(7)
Deposit the proceeds from the sales under paragraph (6) into an operating account
to be used for publication costs associated with the preparation and publication of
SECTION 4. Title 3 Virgin Islands Code chapter 22 sections 408; subsection (e)
is amended by striking "Office of the Governor" and inserting "Department of Planning
and Natural Resources" and by striking "six of whom shall be, by striking "Of the six
appointed members", by striking the third and fourth sentences and by adding two new
language to read as follows.
"Four members shall reside on St. Croix. Four members shall reside on St.
Thomas, and one member on St
4
ohm."
SECTION 5. Title I
irgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 705 as amended by
Act No. 6905 Will No. 26-0351) section 5, is amended in the following instances:
(1)
Subsection (d) is amended to read as follows:
"(d)
Any member who has completed thirty years of credited service may retire
on a full service retirement annuity notwithstanding his age, without reduction of annuity.
Additionally, any member who is age fifty (50) years with ten (10) but less than thirty
(30) years of service may retire on a service annuity which shall be reduced by .325 of
EFTA01074745
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one percent for each month, or fraction thereof, that the member's age is less than sixty
(60) years. A policeman, eligible employee with the Virgin Islands Water and Power,
Authority, eligible employee working with chlorine, sewage or carcinogens, firefighter,
including a firefighter employed by the Virgin Islands Port Authority, marshal of the.
Superior Court and Supreme Court, probation officer of the Superior Court, internal
affairs agents, to include but not limited to the Director and Assistant Director and agents
of the Internal Affairs Bureau of the Virgin Islands Police Department, peace officer as
defined in Title 5, section 3561, Virgin Islands Code, emergency medical technician, a
radiology or x-ray technician employed by the Department of Health or the Virgin
Islands Hospitals or corrections officer who has completed twenty (20) years or more of
credited service as a policeman, eligible employee with the Virgin Islands Water and
Power Authority, eligible employee working with chlorine, sewage or carcinogens;:
fireman, including a fireman employed by the Virgin Islands Port Authority, marshal and
probation officer of the Superior Court, peace officer as defined in Title 5, section 3561,
Virgin Islands Code, emergency medical technician, a radiology or x-ray technician
employed by the Department of health or the Virgin !Stands Hospitals, or corrections
officer, or combination thereof, may retire notwithstanding his age without reduction of
annuity."
•
service; or
Any member whose withdrawal from service occurs:
prior to age sixty (60) years and after at least ten (10) years of credited
,
(2)
in the case of a policeman, eligible "employee vvrth the 'Virgin Iilands
Water and Power Authority, eligible employee working with chlorine, sewage or,,
•
EFTA01074746
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carcinogens, fireman, including a fireman employed by the Virgin Islands Port Authority,
marshal of the Superior Court, internal affairs agents, to include but not limited to the
Director and Assistant Director and agents of the Internal Affairs Bureau of the Virgin
Islands Police Department, peace officer as defined in Title 5, section 3561, Virgin
Islands Code, emergency medical technician, a radiology or x-ray technician employed
by the Department of Health or the Virgin Islands Hospitals, or corrections officer, prior
to age fifty-five (55) years and after at least ten (10) years of credited service but not as
much as twenty (20) years of credited service, and who has not received a refund of
accumulated contributions, shall be entitled to receive a deferred service retirement
annuity payable upon attainment of age sixty (60) or fifty-five (55) years, as the case may
be.: and
(2)
Section 754 (e) (Conditions for service retirement) (as amended by Act
6905, Section 5 and designated as §806) is amended to read:
"NotWithstanding his age, a police officer, firefighter, including a firefighter
employed by the Virgin Islands Port Authority, marshal of the Supreme Court or the
Superior Court, or corrections officer who has completed twenty years or more of
credited service may retire on a full retirement annuity."
SECTION 6. Act No. 6905, Section 5, item 13 is amended by striking the
following amendatory language: "striking the word 'Twenty' and inserting the word
`Twenty-Five wherever it appears"'.
SECTION 7. Title 3 Virgin IslandS Code section 706 subsection (c) is amended
in the first sentence after "75 days" by inserting "each year".
EFTA01074747
6
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SECTION 8. Title 19 Virgin Islands Code chapter 53 section 1433 is amended
by striking the second sentence and inserting a new sentence in its place to read as
follows:
"The Department of Health may not require a person who holds a valid annual
health permit for a mobile food service to obtain additional health permits for operating
an itinerant restaurant at Minable locations -dining tarniVal, festivals.and other public
events, if the person notifies the Department in writing at least five business days before
the event of the dates and the location of the sites at which he intends to operate".
SECTION 9. Title 24 Virgin Islands Code chapter 17 section 451 (b), as added
by Act No. 6857 (Bill No. 26-0225) is re-designated as title 5 Virgin Islands Code
chapter 67 section 815.
SECIION 110. Title 33 Virgin Islands Code section' 3028, subsection (c) is
amended by striking "Chairman of the Commission" and inserting "Certifying Officer of
the Legislature" and by striking "Commission pursuant to Title 1, chapter 17, VIC" and
inserting Office of the Code Revisor provided in 2 V.I.C. §302".
SECTION 11. Act No. 6864 (Bill No. 26-0313), is amended at the end of
Section 26, by inserting the following sentence: "Ile sum remains available until
expended."
SECTION 12. Act No. 6864 (Bill No. 26-0313) Section 13 is amended at the
end of subsection (c) by inserting the following sentence at the end thereof "the sum
remains available until expended."
SECTION 13. Act No. 6839 is amended at the end of Section 57 by adding a
sentence to read as follows: "The sums appropriated remain available until expended
EFTA01074748
1
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3
expended."
7
SECTION 14. Act No. 6820 (Bill No. 26-0196) is amended at the end of
SECTION 8 by adding a sentence to read as follows: "The sums remain available until
4
SECTION 15. Act No. 6771 is amended by adding Section 2 to read as follows::
5
"SI iCTION 2. The sum appropriated in section 1 remains available until expended."
6
SECTION 16. Act No. 6427 Section 22 is amended by striking "S1,305,000".
7
8
9
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SECTION 17. The sum of $1,305,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Public Works for
engineering designs, construction, repairs or the resurfacing of roads. The sum remains
available until expended.
SECTION 18. The sum of $280,000 is appropriated for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services for
The Village Partners in Recovery, $200,000 of which must be used for prior years'
obligations. The sum remains available until expended.
SECTION 19. The sum of $50,000 is appropriated for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Ilousing, Parks and
Recreation for Pre- Carnival and Carnival 2007 horse races. The sum remains available
until expended.
SECTION 20. The sum of $300,000 appropriated for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund divided equally between the St. Croix
Christinas Festival Committee and the V.I. Carnival Committee to conduct their
respective events. The sum appropriated remains available until expended.
EFTA01074749
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SECTION 21. The Sum of $100,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Education to defray the
cost of repairing the Bertha Boshulte School for accreditation. The sum remains available
until expended.
.Aft%!::tr iCr
SECTION 22. The Sum of $40,060 is appropriated for the fiscal year eliding.
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Education fora sound
system at Eudora Kean High School to meet the criteria for accreditation. The sum
remains available until expended.
SECTION 21 The sum of $250,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Housing, Parks and
Recreation to demolish, abate for asbestos and reconstruct the building at No. 13-1
Nordsdivej. The sum remains available until expended. The sum remains available until
expended.
SECTION 24. The sum of $200,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Board of Elections to cover the cost of
the 2006 run-off election. The sum remains available until expended,
SECTION 25. The sum of $150,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands State Nurses
Association to host the 50111 Anniversary Conference of the Caribbean Nurses
Organization. The sum remains available until expended.
SECTION 26. (a) The sum of $1,990,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007, from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to the ;
EFTA01074750
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Department of Public Works W pave and make road repairs forthe following roads.on SL y
Croix:
(1) Little Ea Grange
$325,000
(2) Mount Pleasant
$200,000
(3) Route 80-North Shore Baron Bluff-La Valle
$310,000
(4) Route 58-Creque Dam Road to Annaly
$330,000
(5) Two Williams (2) Roads
$350,000
(6) Route 76-Jolly Hill-Grove Place
$275,000
(7) Estate Mountain Road
$200,000
(b)
The sum appropriated in subsection (a) remains available until expended.
SECTION 27. The sum of $250,000 is appropriated from the General Fund in
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, to the Department of Public Works to pave
the Ponderosa Road located in Estate Wintberg.
The sum remains available until
expended."
SECTION 28. The sum of S8,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Tourism to provide a
grant to Miss Clcantha Samuel to represent the Virgin Islands in the Miss Black America
Pageant. The sum remains available until expended.
SECTION 29. The sum of $50,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, to the Department of Health to purchase dress uniforms for
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel for such events as Emergency Medical
Services Month and other appropriate events and occasions.
EFTA01074751
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SECTION 30. The sum of $75,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending , ;01.. •
• t--• •"7
September 30, 2007, for the British Virgin Islands/ Virgin Islands Friendship week. The
10
2
3
sum remains available until expended.
- -7.
4
SECTION 31. The sum 'of $175,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
5
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Housing, Parks and
Recreation to install energy-efficient lighting at the Alvin Mae Bean Ballpark.
SECTION 32. (a) There is appropriated from the General Fund in the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007, the sum of $176,000 to the Department of Education for the
Lew Muckle Elementary School to fund the following projects:
1.
$150,000 to provide and install air conditioners in the cafeteria and
library;
2.
$25,000 to repair the basketball court; and
3.
$1,000 to purchase sports equipment.
(b)
The sum appropriated in subsection (a) remains aVailable until expended."
SECTION 33. The sum of $400,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund to the Department of Public Works to pave
the St. Croix Drag Racing Strip in Estate Anguilla, on St. Croix. The funds remain
available until expended.
SECTION 34. The stun of $75,000 is appropriated for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, from the General Fund of the Virgin Islands to the Positive Vibes
Soccer Club Corporation, for the annual tournament and competitions between February
and November 2007 and must be disbursed as follows:
(I)
Governor's Soccer Cup
S10,000;
EFTA01074752
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(2)
Summer Soccer Tournament
$10,000;
(3)
Thanksgiving Soccer Tournament
$10,000;
(4)
Black 'lead Soccer Tournament
$15,000;. and
(5)
CONCACAF Caribbean Soccer Tournament $30,000.
(b)
The sum appropriated in subsection (a) remains available until expended."
SECTION 35. The sum of $110,000 appropriated •tor the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2006, from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands Housing Authority
divided equally between the districts of St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John for the Youth
Build Program to conduct youth academie and educational activities for public housing
residents remains available until expended.
SECTION 36. •Act No. 6864 is amended at the end of section 23 by adding the
following sentence: "The sum remains available until expended."
SECTION37. Scction 5 of this Act takes effect retroactively to October 1, 2005.
BR-07.0621/March 16, 2007/YIX
EFTA01074753
EXHIBIT E
EFTA01074754
GOVERNMENT OF
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNfTED STATES
6002 Estate Anna's Hope
Christiansted, St. Croix, V.I. 00820-4428
OFFICE OF 7t tE COMMISSIONER
April 25, ?007
Mr. Julio A. Francis. •
';
Director of Financeend Administiation
Virgin Islands Public Firtance.Authority
#24 Honduras, Frenchtown 2nd Floor
Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 00802
•
Td: (340) 773-1769
Fax: (340) 773-0670
RE:
Reprogramming of $1,305,000 Previously Embarked for the "Nadir
Bridge Flood Control Project (Act No. 6917)
Dear Mr. Francis:
Act No. 6917, Section 17 reprogrammed 51,305,000 for the use by the
Department of Public Works for engineering designs, construction, repairs and
resurfacing of roads. I am .hereby 'requesting that you forward a letter to
Commissioner LypriMillin, Department of Property & ProcUrement, informing her
that the funds in the amount of $1,305,000 can be used from the "Nadir Bridge
Flood Control Project? .According to Act 6917; the reprogrammed funds are to
be used for
-
. .
• Leonardo.Trotman Drive-Project STT
• Security Booth & Road Improvements at the Governor's Residence - STT
• Cemetery Construction & Improvements
• Route 82 Drainage Improvements - SD(
•
Planning & Design Contract for Leonardo Trotman Drive - SIT
•
Drainage Irriprovement of Plot #3 at Estate Princess - STX
If you have any questions, please let ErlEY know at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
rryl A. S
Commissioner esignate.
DAS/AN/RI ma
Cc
Honorable Carlton Dowe — Senator
Robert Moorehead — Assistant Commissioner •
Aloy Nielsen Deputy Commissioner of Engineering
Davila Clendinen Deptity Cornthissi0ner of Administration
Francisco Nadal— District Engineer/Project Manager
,
.
z.d
CSILELL0b£
pools! Le0ee ou in 'non
9711:1 I in ne At]
EFTA01074755
EXHIBIT F
EFTA01074756
V. I . P . F .A
April 30, 2007
The Honorable Lynn Millin
Commissioner
Department of Property & Procurement
Sub Base
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Re:
Reprogramming of $1,305,000 Previously Embarked for the "Nadir Bridge Flood
Control Project (Act No. 6917)
Dear Commissioner Millin:
Be advised that the Public Finance Authority (PFA) is currently holding $1,305,000
pursuant to Act No. 6917, Section 17 which reprogrammed said funds for use by the Department
of Public Works for engineering designs, construction, repairs and resurfacing of roads.
According to Act No. 6917, the reprogrammed funds are to be used for:
•
Leonardo Trotman Drive Project — STT
•
Security Booth & Road Improvements at the Governor's Residence — STT
•
Cemetery Construction & Improvements
•
Route 82 — Drainage Improvements — STX
•
Planning & Design Contract for Leonardo Trotman Drive — STT
•
Drainage Improvement of Plot #3 at Estate Princess - STX
Before the disbursements of these funds can occur, the Department of Property &
Procurement must forward to the PFA, contract documents, certifications of the vendors
selected, unit cost and teams of payments of the services to be performed. In addition, copies of
the "Notices to Proceeds" issued to each vendor to start work must also be submitted.
Once these documents and certifications are received, the Department of Public Works
(DPW) may submit vendor invoices for payments. These invoices must be accompanied with an
appropriate certification of the DPW that the work has been performed and accepted and that
payment is authorized. Invoices should be submitted to the Public Finance Authority at No. 24
. Box 430, Emancipation Garden Station, Chadotte Amalie, St. Moms, US. Wen blonds 00804-0430 Tel: 340-714-1635 Fax: 340-714-1636
EFTA01074757
Page -2-
Commissioner Lynn M ill in
April 30, 2007
Honduras, 2od Floor, Frenckitown, St. Thomas, 00802. The PFA will only acknowledge, accept
and pay invoices with certifications above the signature of the Commissioner of the Department
of Public Works.
If you need-additional information of have any questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
As—
lito A. Francis
'rector Finance and Administration
cc:
The Honorable Darryl A. Smalls, Commissioner, Dept. Public Works
The Honorable Carlton Dowe, Senator, 27th Legislature of the VI
Robert Moorehead, Assistant Commissioner, DPW
Atoy Nielsen, Deputy Commissioner of Engineering
Dayna Clendinen, Deputy Commissioner of Administration
Francisco Nadal, District Engineer / Project Manager
EFTA01074758
EXHIBIT G
EFTA01074759
V9PittragE on OPOLIWEAtA eattnetS
10-261/4-0
:t +.
tigte 0111 Anist latOtta
aen. 4* Maw as,* 4*
the
tzt.a4
bocnissa
tact notice& that th,
AMOK
dL ORTinitin
ACWOR ONO!:
a
SWAM
"Mini0faii Met:
Aprii VAL,
Apra ii
t loin, corset?
Yes.
You arnspo tut. *zit( 4osarosf.
OSInet1 at* tknnoyor, ,e4nto Inv on, Apvil MA ADO-. so,. bbs
triaiiing wont cut heat* the deny bad lilt aglaict
ronegnire :that, SEt?
ta. tatlyintl:
YeS, senator.
SIMATOU jAng$:f Pbod thibtf. ArgAlthrs****; *Arm
VIAPAmmvP, C 6212414t*
That's tort-oat, sit.
stem:rot "sots:. Wood eventing. The microphoa
gtogitt. iia*e for the tatOttl , and proceed.
MS. yuntank-ututillnolT;
Good evening,
GOO4
evening Senator Noville A. 7r-enr.s, Chairman of the Committee on.
F.j.WMg.A4 Services, Infrastructure
and Consumer AY£airs,.
meabors 'of the Committee, otacits senators PsreisOatz. at41401
atlitikapt
aact viewing *natestet,
a* kiticela Vurnot-Ntillanconti
Case Zoo-ismer o£ the Mnfiartiontit
Atoysiis yotig.o.,
-*ancuito
to be retiflosit o£ the .C.111OTnia, Y am liar°, to Otiatent teatigibtiy
on. behalf ot the DittattsSiall 'Of PithUtirliftlinsAfAValat 4.4
construction of R. piA- d. trome and decuc*r teneing, as tell as
"tla""Le'ottlirreetWd
.deittilThr
OEM=
It
ItUtICXS, CSR
LEGISLATIVE, itfRIARTnt
6111 4100247
EFTA01074760
cONOUTSEPW ONANCIWSIMPATAS,,, 040440
tO
OviregeezelAt EhediargAn Weeds& 0Oln P, Da10416
XeceqpiOLIWAIWAW,ArA* 1(41,41140. cle;$41*& (00104
Otstakt
rW Jidedatet.ratton..
fingtottyr *fated, the *vestment -et Sao
Wozku tilkoVigh klircgrinuntiankl a ptecuronnenh prof *s
facilitatedifitlaikWittMigt O£ Propertyeed-Preperement..,
scented the seksices -ot-VigtWi6ohanical Otour-rfafg0
tabik
cons trueti‘eck
:titta Guard • HOnab and tha Secarthr taming.
Similarly,,{: thee,*
a task ordeeitiitentract apprevadt*Ostati 41a
pepasirfittnepetetrend
PrOcuramest, the service* 00
Setieteada AxpTuat Corporetitosteree: seemed for the
thie,A4400t 04itewaY.
iSsesearb.ethEive.uee administrati6A, the
Wiftateett 0f.Pnblid Works collaborated withacnrity.
7personeel—fc?r.the .Gdvettor of the Virgin Tela4da to dd#004141
ggtroggaillS
041044.0cAksoos. that needed toy lo. incorpokitfild.
into tht dielOn £'or: the :delfelopraent o£ plans ath.
spocificattena for securing the Governor and tinf.Ltagdii ce4
the torriiorx.. Various options worn revtewad.t4 140.1:14*
teadclilaWAgitt44124024 Reuse, EntherinebgiVe iag4
bevereoz**Tersonat pror0beii. ght cost, timely trrigiVition,
as thot410itiess of 011ahltatiftritas a detempwiprggeter• in
ce404*.0Aptefian. The option etWegernrummt Rouse was ruled
01;€.4oert4 the .40i.t044**AXibia-sPAce that o0Sid.t* OUWYSttlad
into 1141A0 quat
d.
atua as.01= 2117-104=mr
tiRSIRES m. FRANCIS. CSR - IMMATIve REPORTER
GVI -0.00288
EFTA01074761
CON10110444$ 000.014.4tortag - 10.42P•ma - con?
Li
for edninietkAnwe end meetin', epeteet a new Itticallass. that
could house these displaced functions woulLtlaitehe4:tfthef0
been identified: 2544.ktfenellYi as Peg-telly her illectra
cestounication, infraettooture. wonla, 'have to toe sloRlicsaked•at
thil new leeettiet.
r)*I.getslest of the existing plans and'
specifications fink Mate Catharinenerg, it was revealed that
the pkojeot would have had to. consiat Of the. construction o£
an asphalt and concrete ,pairam.driVews.Y, new Guard denser
wrought iron:gate. with .automatie opener,. landscaping, :historic
style. street .litattingi- and 'concrete stairs' with site
development mnd,ntaities? and the teliabilitatiOn,X04
conversion-Mt this; historic .cartiage 'hretse into a,
offiCe buni4pt.. the
theta plans were: detailed and
extensive, tlimprimary focus did net address all. -0g the
security eemagenw4 as well as they did not address. critical
items. thati,*(04,444awaitind to renovate the living quarters
to provide inn environment that. wot4d permanently :house the
Governor and the:ft:Sit
thili Would include
accca$044.‘Sela *fiS, minor'.;41;t0it
rants4XPlies who• has visited this historical Site, it
•
1.5 atik, smaatels tRat this structure bears the resemblance of
esnmenerwith ats historical furniture and artifacts. The
4044tigwo eir*ivonqg.4,fi the Sainting plans and specifications
—716r-trut amatnietled dt.WrathiainotetneacEr
P:r$4 tlfE"
ORRIttEk
.TI*XdOtT, i9
tectswl'age %I PORTER.
GVI -0G0289
EFTA01074762
COWITTEP. OW I oan MintOS:
3,1)404 .
it
additional
security and. renovation requirement* kiproegedecl two
Vce pgc60.4 duration was. estimated at 12 to
sia :months.
Xt is, IV:portant to note there wore additional
STOIPV9 *kb.
grOwsislow. if
in fact-thd
crscimien was made to
Mrystatt
stiutflukto alto
a permanent. gave
of residence
width. Artaudagr but 44. *tit limited to furnishingn+ for bot)n
in itenao•era
extesinr,
housekeeping service:.
OA& UtiatiAt
to include eled:trieity,
water, security and. c%bez annual
•maintenance costa which wore estimated. At $1;69/60.P pep ygitsc ap,t
$600,000 over it finer year period.
The other option for renidenttl:tX'talk
first
kiWigthei4 CO:grant &Ace of residence: se ;tato
Itazolio
this
tenpriseenixtetjuested
and received an °Pinion fret, the
Department of gime,440
indicated
that the Department can
expend. funds to "score
the, personal resiiientee
of the
Governor.
Tbia bignion states,
turid .T snots,
^An expenditure
of;pti$its
Ilk :petals sible , even if" a private
individual
derives, a 4ifsgow, iwpriofit, as long.a
e.ttn5lic
purpose is.
xesv~dt and khaittntolie
purpose is the Steary
reason for the:
620044$0* (3
:
••
4440se OA is 14.014, i4SPablis110
klatt Chore
a.
.public Snterest
in providiniteeCurity
for ticilfle eklierrnos an4
lipitecting
his person."
AsicOh4, the. Deeetheeet of public.
WOrateeoemeheock .the 401reXep§oet of plans and specifications
tar the aonsbaUAtabo
auikt4 HiSI*0) (44mvxi1;11 TOW:WO 4 114
DLEMIIIIWWW"a
n trurtifrfeWir
t'
s""
atala£d hr. FAANCiaf tart - taGI0LATirit ROPORXAR
,:010 400200
EFTA01074763
comma vet mfINANCISO sativuos-- wap-40
LV
A9
An Ib for the construction of the Guard gaud& wait
advertised in April, 200.7 aed:the 04Coessfel 104:4; no wig%
Mechanical Group, EEC at a bid price. of 482,141.00. Winia
construction
coats
totaled
$1 377..70 1 A03.
aT
POPAgb* *Or *c
task (Mitot its tarried to Wattaroada Avliatict ge.44EGValiti
amianat of $256419' X0t tht geatt44144:07i 0 the drinvar, mad.
vvatiag area. licitteroads was .selected via /the taidc °fatal/rte.
Terfora, this work. Dna to their 'ninailabil_tty led siv vast
liftlitfindiance with concrete road construction.
A task order coattact is e:e*0keetait**tg*Re4 'kr Oa
bepartmorit :tot :tha procurement, at tembitam seXigUine ter keit:away
rrAtiiMa Caiii*S.tuction
aigoAtot
The
voaa..taiving companies located, in oacb..dietrict ate iltattat&Wid
wit% -the. '0overneont Of the
*gin: IS,Itancin
These? .0knittiitatli
etai:#4tion
ot unit price coats via the Department or
Property and Proaent.
Thin; .ethshiles the Depart" flit tit
engineer projects at a; predet.eacood: cost, unlike that 'of an.
RFP or IFS.
;Subsequently, an
'4'F -ow cocustmegion :otr
security, Peace was advertdeedAd Ken
eg Magi iikt4E tit*
successful bidder was once *span etallicibanical Group, lip at
a bid Pride- o£ 596;629.
C
I CCO tOk4414
3;2,2 O48,74.
comparatively, the Initial- estimated coat for,
retovarntir
thrithannerxitrk
0tattktaFt. glowcya,. tsif -',eGISte:van Rom=
GVII -000291
EFTA01074764
rallirneWQ6 rOMAPS4, S$RitICg:
1.0420,09
Pr tit.
at01
*air
Assaanted, security improvement ct4kilibtOt444'04iSit
Vie lang0VVii MASA
was loss than 4350400.
the
siaragettatea ge)., the =rent. sematteht tifjegetWilitallagat PAM
Se, 2 tsitogtossx co* zia:tim4t4a
sOtioaa iYt +oultliave cote
*
"ratans* tiothertztebazg residemsr.
‘?-449vA'; .• • r
aitiet.
*# )>X01O14P sgaPos 4e4tr
a
to thfx toolang
liatileitlehcaili4V*IitOcthlei? atotOtalOPWA Mit 110 rtnectOtra
itisrorieelly, the Depertivasit .of Thelma WerIca ban,
ISO* the reeipieSt of, funds that. !tort. vepoiktigspo4 Moto
IiireflOatoroiects. ie 1998, Act No. 6226 providod the
tepartteent the• awn of $2.305 million fox ttigt Sayan
yet
cpeeseee,, 7Cl2001, Act No. 5427 reprogrammed the same sum of
82-.305.4iMien to :tho Nazar Gut Prci4Oti
tthi*OkitiAti.t.44
aaritimn. Mon Bijou. Flood Mitigation :L*00a. fang
Crois4:41A *Mil ASO:44%e o£ $eoo, 000 And the VI
:Di;
Ssi the 409140 tog 5208,000. In fiscal. year. 2007* lest Bar, 69.171
reprostanatid 'the sty o£ $1. 305 •aitniSlA ftikt the lfstali# 43440
Rrqj4:0 ge.itto pow:meat of Public, IT9z•Jc6 Lot •cenginserian
tresisse*: conatzscxhion, repairs co (the repurfaaing
Mak*
Ago .4tenj we/,me identified, tar ikunding utilitS g the
Waal W.:Mb*. Wig. iivk;4140.vidoicior of st, 0:40.4* 40400
tettal0littbe p.. 00 is ti Ate P.SAMO,AS o4 *0,4
21' Ad• P513.
the island rail St'. 'Magmas, the •Easiteke egligititet stout
asseeteega ; Anus:, Waco sots .th,o• 'Mar enure
"War
lit$03nitienah Wertriss*as Sot,-*Npa*Sennsielp -for iclettritire"
•-•^'^—s.
ItIMICKt S, ERJfl1Ct$, CSfl -
•REPQWATR,
On -000292
EFTA01074765
etettrOCAN. £,INAtiCat sEfwicts - 1:p-20-99— PT iv
tierrivassents.
os *wax sir PA* 'D
n ofx4049 talr
ft.
"1314
• 1t
40' I
•
7gpr
. %he 'opportunity to, buttbvit-titee
:attesbrunbion of Via .CliardtbAbite titie4bibt .V0i.OLAgt ,102:41;',02#
WING Pdlesaver0 14w prPrinte 7;,•* the 'savant= /a) the, In
:facade, rob* v. x(40609)1, 0'0. 74 'fact. I WOW WO vs *ilia
*14 tge4..t), no repairs, ranotationa•Or improvamouta were
taioplabod Astilibing public' Alba, ilkt• bbe priyate OsidePbe
tire Governer- I remain availalida tor, any questions
you may:
:hava‘
SilipAIMAitidest thiutopmAiii. *Mole
turiserrtiltieson,:40ftWit2
MS, TdROER4g4#40#00f
Correct'.
mattp/mH0ANts!
X hope you al:mit saying that h4CAttla,
you spent tor hundred plus thousand at the Dovarnor'aprivata
re0440nco4 and that it'woU1d have cost 02 lotgi;ext.to renovate
Oseebery,
that,
all right
bee.ziattalittah government Naftli
riaNitaido*/
Sfralre not saying that are
Ski?
tilt
tYgglige
Oitii 10 -)402 Alt?
*kw attatt-tdratin4sottt
*taxon repeat that alainc!
VAI NOW
MU= iTAIIZSV 10148M44,50
roux toottAppr tow
4taxisivxf 4mtv ws dv renoveragas 6t Cliblicrinitherst Lb wad
fiava cost pleation .
Ittentdat-limarnmawr
INDANC-Nrit
r
"Or
LEGIStAftlite IiENOliAtEN
ZVI -000293
EFTA01074766
fl
9.ci: triMtle:TAP Pa ritEt •-• 111-20-.69
fl .$$V
22
ottaithz
.SIDIM0ROCEISis 4.1*1/227,. isit
A'Ok the :1.1FM4"Nap
US, MABBAWIRIACPM.q01.
Say that .again?
SiOkOW :OASES: Art Ran: saying .that it' a- eke.* Ain*
liev
'ea aftePle tot th* cagin yalakida ja,
1.;i:nt-
VOffielisc! S9 4443.4;1.!tenrivaie taihaxi.peberg and you didirbat tOO.
any you dian‘t do at the. QOvOtis 'k privatei Irepidettee:
Beeeese
e i!:111
- . trying to figure• out i£ yew
4eXit
hots. iiitbedE Erlitiag the, kitchen: or selling the yard.
Because. *hats how-all you .promoting it. hero.
114O14B-ifrrolcPisakT:
it .was just provided, as a
potato*, wr as a soomparison.
*S
OAKES:
Net bocauso you had soma emphasis,
you said,. alit. me niake it. clear." Ten said that. 'So,: be
careful. OM. ydut atenation,
your 'phopetion and your pitch.
And I got that figs. "lean on
,Don't believe t create- that
one.
That's a•carople.
Bute oh, 'God min.
comparatively the
initial estimated cost for renovating the catherineberg
residence 0.ameond $2 million, 'while the estimated security
1:41Provemant construction cost to the Governor's 'property was
leaf than $350,00o..
EUILVi:e giving
t..kte public the impression
Oak.** saved rodOy 13y spending ;regPrtaY at a private residence.
find: to la you're% sot to be care411 ViAt that ,
BeeE'Ve.:X'al..not
about to lee 'Eta rank and nip •gli, 'boot up tie
rim my tog
----- amertawarsintkOnneGOr 1.-d*W2CaTIPPletrirtlilgetrahrin 4r —
FBAIWT.4.o,
44.94.0ft.TV14 WOO*
ow-00204
EFTA01074767
/Mg ON 'MUM= :SMVXMS
31-0-0.9
tr XV
WA Sid9lXt ioai 10.00.re
go tat
Obtenig' lie. *coast; 'can WM°
do; salt It tats= ad. gets* a LittIO bit Miatagc '141Algs;100049"
ate
to ski, itkitge
Oraighb.
ICOZNIZX
Vs; sorry, say *IOW SAW
SENATOR 4/404 *Ott.ixo a little isms thagist.:. Can
yen metitik
litittfattt :100040ai.gou.!.t4 tiOkitisi
0000046
Clik*Slou. Thee as & ca rrespoodsoice Akos
Rorke to
Mt, 1:1410iig
gIeli3/414.*; with
it rolats#: to the rice* fl
t floe. Ton' ro
that correspondonco?
tai l Sidaktaz,
SENATOR JAMES:
Was it instOrad4Isaida
outatilla
at the foncn?
M.S. TURNE125-WILEINSItl.
St was ISO-ailed outside or'
.Egio line. It vas actually 44 ricparatith.
When. the plans
ifl
Waited tho --. yes.
SENATOR JAMES; Vka DiVattigikitl.440441itiO4 44W t44*
Veyer000. Because Mg. Exilzmdo ,said iit yobs• toted be:Jootsla
4Sn s auce out side at the Fiala iinp, .3-te r*ta,4 ngistme tirdi ukkor
atsoolato4 Wiettt- thp project.
.Departusint tail
C.o.Insintat :10:nictitate/ay .us mono,!.
And .ye\l'ke tent:Arial
44ppnAgoompwt4onsimr, correct? *hatis Vhat'sou're sattno
lb. itAltk-VaIXIIISOIT:
etlefila Serief-OL
CSPULTOR i7S1
°My, at Sat(
back on
Mi,Sitectusantationf. loft knew.
Zito 4019to gape. all ye i. credit
r* •
• Csinna
2.9*. i4 1i3;04'.1Stir010
-4 44.6Wittstrius
yatt
Dc$xg$S Y1, tRANCX14 qPfi. -MinSt**atnit,tv
Gilt -000295
EFTA01074768
EXHIBIT H
EFTA01074769
EFTA01074770
United States Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240
JAN 1 9 2010
The.Honorable John P, delongh, Jr.
Governor of the Virgin Islands
No. 21 Kongens Gade
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Re: final Inspection Report Security Improvements at the GovernortsPrivate Residence
(Report No. VIS-VIS-0004-2009)
Dear Governor deJongh:
This letter transmits the results of the subject inspection. The report addresses only
whether public funds were properly expended for security improvements that were begun in June
2007 at your private residence. We do not address security entitlement per se and recognize that
security is a. necessity for any sitting Governor. In the past, sitting Virgin Islands governors have
had some level of security at their private residences — wherever located.
We found that the funds used for the purpose of providing security at your private
residence were set aside for road repairs in the Virgin Islands by the Legislative Branch of
Government. In using those funds, the Executive Branch of Government improperly diverted
roughly half-a-million dollars of specifically earmarked public funds and usurped the authority
of the Legislative Branch of Government. Under Virgin Islands law, only the Legislature is
authorized to determine how public fiords should be spent.
We provide four recommendations that, if implemented, should resolve the current
situation and prevent improper use of finds in the future. Please provide a response to this report
by February 16, 2010 to our Caribbean Field Office, Ron deLugo Federal Building — Room
207, St. Thomas, VI 00802. Your response should identify plans to address the
recommendations cited in this report.
If you have any questions concerning this report, you may contact me at (202) 208-5745
or Mr. Hannibal M. Ware, Assistant Regional Manager, at (340)774-8300.
Acting Inspector General
EFTA01074771
cc:
Louis Hill, President, Virgin Islands Legislature
Nikolao Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs
EFTA01074772
During the summer of 2009, we received requests to review the funding of security
improvements begun in 2007 at the Virgin Islands Governor's private residence. A Virgin
Islands senator and United States enforcement agencies had made a number of allegations that
public funds, including federal finds, were improperly used to make the improvements. In
response to these requests, we performed an inspection of the use of public funds to pay for
the improvements at issue.
The Revised Organic Act of 1954 established Government House on St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands, as the official residence of governors. Government House is currently used for
offices, however, and is not suitable for residential living. In the past, governors have resided
at Estate Catherineberg, a residence provided by the West Indian Company, although no
requirement exists that governors do so.
John P. deJongh, Jr., was elected Governor of the Virgin Islands in November 2006. Upon
taking office in January 2007, Governor deJongh decided to continue living at his private
residence. As a result of the Governor's decision, the Department of Public Works (Public
Works) asked the Virgin Islands Attorney General's Office (A-GO) to provide a legal opinion
on whether public funds could be used for security-related improvements at the Governor's
private residence. In response, the AGO rendered a legal opinion that the Government could
incur the cost and that public funds could be used for the improvements.
In April 2007, Public Works informed the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority that $1.3
million, which the Legislature of the Virgin Islands intended for territorial road projects, could
also be used for other projects. Those other projects included the security-related
improvements at the Governor's residence. The Public Finance Authority then notified the
Department of Property and Procurement (Property and Procurement) that funds were
available and that the procurement process could begin (see Appendix 2).
The United States Virgin Islands democratic system distributes power among three branches
of government, the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches. This separation of power
results in a system of checks and balances designed to ensure accountability and transparency
and to minimize the potential for abuse of power.
We found that the Executive Branch ignored the rules of checks and balances when it
circumvented the Legislative Branch by using a legal opinion to justify spending almost half-
a-million dollars of legislatively obligated public funds for security improvements at the
1
EFTA01074773
Governor's private residence (Appendix 3). Moreover, these funds were spent without the
benefit of a formal security vulnerability assessment to determine the level of security the
Governor would require or the most cost effective way of providing that security.
Legal Opinion Excluded Legislative Authority
In response to the Public Works request regarding use of public funds, the AGO prepared a
legal opinion based on five cases. The Acting Attorney General concludes in that opinion that
"an expenditure of public funds is permissible, even if a private individual derived a special
benefit, as long as a public purpose is served and that public purpose is the primary reason for
the expenditure." Armed with this legal opinion, the Executive Branch initiated the process
for funding and completing the security improvements at the Governor's private residence.
When we reviewed the five cited cases, we found a common thread in three of the five to be
the fact that expenditure of public funds must be legislated. In fact, one of the cited cases
concludes, "What is for the public good or what are public purposes for which appropriations
may be made are questions which the legislature must in the first instance decide." According
to Virgin Islands law, the authority to use public funds for any purpose, including improving
security at the Governor's private residence, could only be obtained through legislation, not
by a legal opinion from the AGO. Nevertheless, the AGO opinion remains silent regarding
the requirements for legislative approval of public funds expenditures and for determination
of whether public purpose is the primary reason for any given expenditure.
Public Funds Used Improperly
In 1998, the Virgin Islands Government received surplus bond funds from the Public Finance
Authority that the Legislature had earmarked for public projects. In August 2001, the Virgin
Islands Legislature approved Act No. 6427, appropriating $1.3 million of those funds for the
Nadir Bridge Flood Control Project in St. Thomas. In April 2007, the Legislature passed Act
No. 6917, reprogramming the $1.3 million for the specific purpose of engineering design,
construction, repair, or resurfacing of roads.
The intention of the Legislature regarding Act No. 6917 was apparent during the legislative
process, as it is now. During discussion, six senators mentioned that the funds were intended
for the purpose of Virgin Islands road improvements. One senator specifically stated, "We
have in this bill an appropriation of... one point three million dollars ... to address road
repairs in the territory, but more specifically on the island of St. Croix." Another senator
noted that roads were in "terrible condition" on St. Croix. Clearly, no part of the $1.3 million
was to be used for security improvements at the Governor's private residence — or for any
other purpose.
2
EFTA01074774
Despite the Legislature's intent, the former acting
Commissioner of Public Works incorrectly notified
the Public Finance Authority by letter dated April
25, 2007, that the reprogrammed funds could be
used for other than road projects, to include
security booth and road improvements at the
Governor's residence (see Figure 1). Referencing
the letter from Public Works, the Public Finance
Authority notified Property and Procurement that
all procurement documents needed to be in place
and forwarded to the Public Finance Authority
before disbursement of the funds could occur.
This notice triggered expenditure of funds for the
security improvements at the Governor's private
residence.
JEci s A ri,Rov
ORKS Amu!, 2007
LETER
o Trotman Dr.
- •
y Booth & Road Improvements
Governor's Residence
metery Construction &
rovernents
nage Improvements
irnng Design for Leonardo
loran Dc.
state Princes Drainage
After receiving the "go-ahead" from the Public Finance Authority, Property and Procurement
awarded roughly $490,000 in contracts related to security improvements at the Governor's
private residence (See Table 1). These contracts were issued to erect a permanent, concrete,
stone faced, security guard house; construct a new driveway and parking; and install
aluminum security fencing. Surveillance equipment was also installed as part of the
improvements.
According to Virgin Islands law, no officer or employee of the Government can enter into a
valid contract before an appropriation is made for that specific purpose. Since the
appropriated funds should never have been used to finance security improvements at the
Governor's private residence, all contracts and agreements issued for that purpose are invalid.
The Virgin Islands Code contains definitive penalties for Government officers or employees
who violate the law. It specifically prohibits the spending of funds for reasons other than
intended in a legislative appropriation and specifies penalties for violation, including fines and
imprisonment.
3
EFTA01074775
Table 1. TOTAL COST OF SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS
Project
Contractor
Contract Cost
Change
Total Costs
Orders
Security Fencing
WMK Mechanical
$98,829.00 $23,339.75
$122,168.75
;‘,HI,1111/
Grou
r i
I
Luon!
Driveway&
Betteroads Asphalt
$156,160.00
$156,160.00
Parkin
Co
:Intr.
Total
$490,000.25
`$25,271.70 has been obligated for additional wort• done on the security fence that will bring the total cost to
$490,000.25. A funding source has not yet been identified
By expending the funds for security improvements, the Executive Branch improperly depleted
funds earmarked for much needed road repairs in the Virgin Islands. Further, the Executive
Branch's actions usurped the Legislature's authority to determine how to spend public funds.
Security Vulnerability Not Documented
Personal security best practices require the conduct of a vulnerability assessment to determine
necessary security requirements. Such an assessment should have been the first step in
establishing the Governor's personal security program and should have:
> been tailored to the needs of the Governor based on factors such as workplace,
residence, family, and domestic travel/and or international travel requirements;
evaluated existing or perceived threat conditions and existing physical security
measures and procedures; and
provided logical recommendations, if needed, for cost effective security
improvements.
None of these requirements was met.
The Executive Branch expended public funds on permanent physical improvements at the
Governor's private residence without obtaining a security vulnerability assessment. The only
semblance of an assessment consisted of undated, handwritten notes prepared by the
Governor's Director of Security. These notes described the physical layout of the property
only and did not address security vulnerabilities. While the Governor is entitled to some level
4
EFTA01074776
of security, the expenditure of half-a-million dollars in public funds on permanent security
improvements cannot be justifiable without a proper assessment of security vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Whether the current Governor is entitled to security at his private residence is not germane to
our inspection. We recognize that security is a neeecsity for any sitting Governor. In fact,
past Virgin Islands governors have had some level of security at their private residences
regardless of where they officially resided while in office. The Executive Branch of
Government, however, cannot independently determine the purpose for which public funds
are used. Only the Legislature has the authority to appropriate public funds to pay for security
improvements for any governor. Therefore, all public funds diverted from Act No. 6917 for
the purpose of providing security at the Governor's private residence were improperly
expended. Further, any determination of the level of security necessary to protect a governor
should be preceded by a formal vulnerability assessment.
Recommendations
We recommend that the Executive Branch of the Virgin Islands:
1. Determine whether Government House, as designated by the Revised Organic Act of
1954, can be made suitable to serve the residential needs of the Governor of the Virgin
Islands. If so, secure the funds necessary to convert Government House from office to
residential use. If not, pursue legislation that would identify alternative accommodations.
2. Adhere to existing laws regarding the use of public funds, which can only be used for
purposes authorized by the Legislative Branch.
3. Ensure that funds redirected to the Department of Public Works by Act No. 6917 and
improperly expended for security improvements at the Governor's private residence be
returned and used as intended.
4. Ensure that an appropriate security vulnerability assessment is made in the event that any
appropriation for security improvements at a governor's private residence is considered.
5
EFTA01074777
Appendix 1
CTIO
COPE AND
ETTIODOI,OGN
The objective of our inspection was to determine solely whether public funds were properly
expended for the security enhancements made at the Governor's private residence.
We performed our work from August to November 2009 in accordance with the "Quality
Standards for Inspections" issued by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency. To
accomplish our objective, we reviewed records and interviewed officials of the Departments
of Justice, Public Works, and Property and Procurement and of the Public Finance Authority,
the West Indian Company, and Government House. We also interviewed the Virgin Islands
Governor and the former Senate President. In addition, we performed site visits of
Government House, Estate Catherineberg, and the Governor's private residence, where we
viewed the security improvements at issue.
6
EFTA01074778
Appendix 2
Governor
de)ongh Elected
I
tr. 4fi
%,
1 it? t. PO It • 4, t c-. •••
Ot viViwn1i14::5 •••\
Proposal From
Alert 01 For
Surveillance
Equipment
Received
Legal Opinion
from Acting
Attorney
General to
Public Works
Acting
Commissioner
Act No. 6917
Approved by
V.I.
Legi;Iat are
Letter from Public
Works to Public
Finance Authority
Stating that
Funds From Act
6917 Could Be
Used For Security
Improvements
Initiation of
Alert 1
Surveilance
Installation •
at and
Noti e to
Proceed Issued
to WMK
Mechanical For
Construction of
Guard House
7
Contract and
Notice to Proceed
Issued to WMK
Mechanical For
Construction of
Security Fencing
July 200
Srpkvablv211(1$
Task Order
Signed With
Betteroads
Asphalt To
Begin
Construction of
Driveway and
Parking
Jameatt.1
Security
Improvements
Completed
EFTA01074779
Appendix 3
,,,,ft.c,) K•f.,
SLR
Cowmen FUNDED BY Acr No.6917 FOR
SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AT GOVERNOR'S
$490,000
8
EFTA01074780
Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse
And Mismanagement
Fraud, waste, and abuse in
government concerns everyone:
Office of Inspector General staff,
Departmental employees, and the
general public. We actively solicit
allegations of any inefficient and
wasteful practices, fraud, and abuse
related to Departmental or Insular area
Trograma and operations. You can report
allegations to us in several ways.
By Mail:
By Phone:
By Fax;
By !plow!:
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Inspector General
Mail Stop 4428 MB
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20246
24-flour Toll Free
8004a
Washington Metro Area 703-40kap
.74,34onsiozs
www.cloMig.g01
tto!ksodor.oa
EFTA01074781
EXHIBIT I
EFTA01074782
romfierarmoNIMA 4,10-470MOURY
"gut Na :304I40 ,
Thirtiffith Legikrattire otilleVIrght Mali&
JulY-ZvZ014
A Resolution tirgin0itgedidetttlegting Govetnot•Jblur 'P dolfonirs Jrit to, 'return lbo:non:ka
improperly used by
aftnittiStratiOn ta upgrigto hkpitnäktesideittro
and an iron fenee
1)12.0POSED BY: Senators Terrence "Positiye"Nelson, Kenneth ti..4fIteng
and Shawn-Michael Malone
1
WBEREAS, dia Bevise4 Organic Act of 1954
gggignillit10~3~
4»ffiedf.
á
ät4411Pti011
“:9fficilat keSidene0 in. Mo, Otrgenfitierit «Milt
,St. Ttinotas &kilt& lits,
n montbegaid,
4'.
WILBREAS, Gavemor John P. deTonshi 7rs,. gim
h1411111,gö Mi:MtItOO
▪
duttna
incurnbenoyAltgOby 4~4*
lgpx&g she MactIlts
lkb ketest
•
Ptilaalo Actaif 1954 $e02.4
gig!
•
VIIMEAs, the,
tkgithiture:Passed Ac:134% 4427 a_PPC0PeMiti» •.$1:$05.0.00
i
•
gëeriort
ihr+Iglir 154gall,MPlti Prigra00 thoni tigtnitwwoz rtnot.upetideä
;§
Intended purposo; and
~UA
*gat* tseibloitemtiMoinit tigiziapos" gitimptraltddri. Act '642,7
a 1
mesditimittiblg,iliduttsxgedekpatreemtafee-59rhamendikosittay.moy;sectionolkand,
EFTA01074783
2
2'
1
lif•Pidpittited the itutexpendcd $i,305fill0: to the Department,
IfohRoi Works for gggineering,
desigps, bnnntruction, repaik or the resurfaeing:ofroaduand
WHEREAS, :Governor Thigt P, deign& Ik Tit ithlt rat
bow. ta•dillze the,
4. rO111.200 Aapvcialed ia aesia Alf a cogattibigtivato re tdenc Fitt Heirs
ttimilitted
Intro Nog; mid.
WHEREAS, after POPP outcry qe.Ydrugor. Iohn tes Moak TIn'PNlr
.that be
I
:relied on an opinion, .ofd tSiltnt Islands Solicitor tncmI Inlet DavIs Worn Udliztn the
ll rova,s;And
AS, bated Oft a dbintdaint filed. by annentber •of thele Legishrnme NvAith tho
-10.
United States :Ddiaattinent
Interior ,Office of the rnspeciot General .40.111C Virg'(.' Watts
11 Attorney iGencraPs office an investigation Lwas. ihitiated ^f0 stgernike ttY vxoptiely: ter the
12
expenditure; and
37
WHEREAS, a report was generated by :the
hliiiked Stated Dethaitivient.ofInteriorOffice
14
of the hispectOrGetietainfter.arronsight. investigation by fettete) officials, wiliiMitletffidnedi that
portions of the ST1305;000 wereilgAgtextruspd for security upgrade to the primate tdahlence of
Ili! Governor John P..deJongh, .1r; 40
17
WHEREAS; the repoit,,delernditeskti)at1lie testa xesidendtjarthd atiltenantiethe. Virgin
34,1Pcis was. OtWetallfeet HouSedn St. efitornas and the bottles sbotilithavesbeen usectfpppgrade
19'
iffileitti :Siderite of tha governor if it was not Aulitikba
tttlitittillit
dillar their flail
nth
Atbititliittkthe of
residence. of the Governor; and'
21
NYLIAIWO, an or, about November .6; 2000 GoVettaah 'knit P. &Jonah, J.n,:hylis:ovm
actinitelott, orecettetpuY bittapertionatkeggtistt:tiritttbftirileitditiatoffiociand
SA*
:0110:. of tare: recorimientattimo -:rifitto
the, United States tkontingin
.24 .Inteat trillmordiettittpator: Gehetithwasme!return4 q PlOards from Avtafilltampoly
2$
u d he the Gbildilitinteeurity improvementszantt
EFTA01074784
3
VagAt, Only the Legigatottanttib authority to appropriate gOominentinoniesifor
pilbilt ptofro' and the .1.ngislatitfe beget appropriated nor otherwise approved 'the use of
3
government funds for upgrede to Gsn..tn,,mor John P. Mongb:, If* pillS4 matatttgni
4
nonnertenci
WIIEREAS; title 33 'Wngin Islands End; chapter 113,E section 3101 proyIderthat uNo
ff
officer oremployeesaftheVirginiNfands shall make oraulliorizeiturexpenditurefrorat oricreate
1
or authorize an obligation under any appropriation or fund in excess of the amount ;available
S
therein;: nix :Oa'
'901* ng
'11Welve the government in an Taxiniet vr
9
ohIrgelitm tor gm: pornent ofulOit.by for any purpose? in. Ads/ante of aPpropriatiOU Made ibr
10
StIclitpUtpd%Unfedsistelt nbrittact or obligation isauthorizedby laviPprict
11
WHEREAS there was no advance appropriation for any .contra& or obligation
mtlictei*411Y14W. fcranY upgrade to OP WY* itr$1.110Pap> `:.QQVC1Dor John P. 00010, Irce
:0
PrivaleleSIO/KelAncl.
14
Wt.-SF:Ea, titre 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11'3, Section .3111/631danS that.
'!Extept as titheterist provided hylkeir?: sums appropriatetlihrthe:veribus branches:o£expendihtre
in the public *Mee shall be applied solely 'to The obJentS for which: they are made; ente for no
11
others; aaftli
VilierttetSi the Ittotitot taken front Ant:6917 and used Ita upglittle the plitatetteditience
10
Of Onliettier
tleIbligh,Jtk!cannot befeconoilawithillisprovirionset aecflonSTI2/oftide
20
33 rif:thli 137411 Mena Code as those funds were appropriaft4
the legldekurfp the,
bepalthfentof'Enblid Woiks for engineering,. &sign?, .9911,51134.9.0ipRaJPAI the tesS1131;t0f
2..
MrldgNEWr tbetnfere,
23
ittlit frtblied-billte legislature ofthe 'Farenlitant•
24
SECTION'S It:. is the consensus of thategislatute oldie Virginishurts thatilteeporilen
4140/8111(011/117,10 *go Act 6917 soSit/h.17 liONIttattlintritrtipgradeS te din pritafe Wide/Ice
EFTA01074785
•
4
1.
orlosernotlo* e; awaits It, tutor oilithstott bytko tOrslalubiliathoittbittfieinorites
2
Weitie4encectillesedly..
1
SECTIONt Thetegislanire orth*Vitin rSiattilielliterantliflteOpie
A
ision4tM14140negt19.11P glgt tr..r$J4 got gig liturotito 7c
S ktiet414„li, rOJ tOtiftt tittl
•
4141.0n4400.00safgrehttatthettat310-44igalitlitiorti.Atteetatthatf to gplithilelab
PlYatleitatteiircesifidenthe:thotado seityAnuary4,19/15,
SECTIVDia.. Copies crAthivresdhaton Shallbe ibrwardeekto the Gpwrpotottlieykkgbi
•
Vandstal Govr<MMOMPAChEt, Thoninlittralloatifth Aopla scot to the United States
st Ilkpotint ur Aldo .01
the tittiffd States Attorney, Geitefg, the United States
itioutmerit OfttittlitnnaSO.Otthe Inspector General and the Attorney Gcnerat ofte via
f2
BILL SUMMARY
This Resolution petitions and request Oa return of monies used by Governor "John P.
14 kto*, Jr. to upgrade his private reiidence with copies sent td the President of the United
atate4 each member of Congress, the United States Department be interior Office of the
16
inspector General and the United States Department of Justice VI :gee of the United States
17 Stoney General.
I8
19
20
.BRI3-0643/JunC.26, 2014/AA
21
22
23.
24
25
26
27
28:
29
5Q
EFTA01074786
EXHIBIT J
EFTA01074787
•••,
CHAPTER NINE.
Section 1.—Any public officer and every person charged with the receipts,
ckeeping, transfer or disbursement of public moneys, who either:
(1) Without authority of law, appropriates the same, or any portion
greof to his own use or to the use of another; or
(2) Fails to keep the same in his possession until disbursed or paid out
authority of law; or,
(3) Loans the same, or any portion thereof; or makes a profit out of, or
es the same for any purpose not authorized by law; or,
(4) Unlawfully deposits the same, or any portion thereof, in any bank,
with any banker or other person; or,
(5) Changes or converts any portion thereof from coin into currency,
from currency into coin or other currency, without authority of law; or,
(6) Knowingly keeps any false account, or makes any false entry or
Imre In any account of or relating to the same; or,
(7) Frandulenty alters, falsifies, conceals, destroys or obliteratea'any tie-
nt, or documents relating thereto; or,
(8) Willfully refuses or omits to pay over, on demand, any public moneys
his hands, upon the presentafian of a draft, order or warrant drawn upon
di moneys by competent authority; or,
(9) Willfully omits to transfer the same, when such transfer is required
law; or ,
(10)
Willfully omits or refuses to pay over to any officer or person
orized by law to receive the same, any money received by him under any
imposed by law so to pay over the same;
is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not exceeding five
or by fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, or by both, and is dis-
ed from further holding any public office.
Section 2.—Every officer charged with the receipt, safekeeping, or dis-
ent of public money, who neglects or fails to keep and pay over the same
manner prescribed by law, is guilty of a felony.
tion 3.—The phrase "public moneys", as used in the preceding sections,
es all bonds and evidences of indebtedness, and all moneys belonging to
overnment or Municipality.
tion 4.—Any clerk, sheriff, or other officer who receives any fine or
ure and refuses or neglects to pay over the same according to law, is
of a felony.
•
Lion 5.—Any person, agent or officer of any institution, corporation or
y, who shall give or return a false or fraudulent list, schedule
l
or,state-
required by any Law; or who shall willfully fail or refuse to take and
be to any of the oaths, affidavits or affirmations required by law; is
f a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a
exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding one
by both.
Palle none:.
Annolntating funds:
Paths to keep In
Ponosslois.
Loaning or
oat
Profit.
IInlogrally
.
clopoolifne.
co
Ch
u ntin
anging Og.r
Ennio( fob* account.
Altering accounts
or dominate.
to
pa
olinlitg er fangs.
or omiltiag
t
y ov
Oitting to
tramnnor foals •
Rifuing to pay
PtoPor orator.
Ponintsont.
Often falling to keep
and pay our tangs.
Public moneys &tad.
Anal of Moor to
pay err au, etc.
•
Fraudulent lists. ate. .
EFTA01074788
EXHIBIT K
EFTA01074789
SS: Sit/5- WE -?c3
AFFIDAVIT
I, Kenneth Schulterbrandt Jr., first being duly sworn, depose and state:
1. That Affiant is a Special Agent with the United States Virgin Islands Department
of Justice, White Collar Crime Division. I have more than 20 years of experience
conducting and/or participating in White Collar Crime Investigations.
2. The facts and information contained in this affidavit are based upon my own
personal knowledge of the investigation and observations of other witnesses
involved in the investigation. All observations referenced below, not personally
made by Affiant, were related to him by the persons who made such observations.
3. The following affidavit is submitted in support of an arrest warrant charging
JOHN P. de JONGH, JR. of 23-8 Estate Mafolie, St. Thomas, V.I. in violation of
Title 14 V.I.C. Section 1662(1), "Embezzlement or falsification of public
accounts" and Title 14 V.I.C. §1663(1), "Neglecting to Pay Over Public Monies."
4. In November 2006, John P. de Jongh, Jr. (Governor de Jongh] was elected
Governor of the United States Virgin Islands.
5. The Director of Executive Security advised Governor de Jongh that his private
residence located at No. 23-8 Estate Mafolie, St. Thomas, V.I. did not have
sufficient security and surveillance infrastructure to provide an appropriate level
of security for himself and his family.
6. As a result of Governor's decision, the Department of Public Works (Public
Works) asked the Virgin Islands Attorney General's Office to provide a legal
opinion on whether public funds could be used for security-related improvements
at Governor de Jongh's private residence. In response, the Attorney General's
Office rendered a legal opinion that the Government could incur the cost and that
public funds could be used for the improvements.
7. Based upon the U.S. Department of the Interior Inspector General's report, Public
Works informed the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, in April 2007, that
$1.3 million, which the V.I. Legislature intended for territorial road
projects, could also be used for other projects. Those other projects included the
security-related improvements at Governor de Jongh's residence.
EFTA01074790
Page 2
Affidavit: John P. de Jongh, Jr. & Julito Francis
8. The Public Finance Authority, through Julito Francis, then notified the
Department of Property and Procurement (Property and Procurement) by
correspondence dated April 16, 2008, that funds were available and that the
procurement process could begin.
9. After receiving the authorization to proceed from the Public Finance Authority,
Property and Procurement awarded approximately Four Hundred and Ninety
Thousand Dollars and Twenty-five cents ($490,000.25) in contracts related to
security improvements at Governor de Jongh's private residence. These contracts
were issued to erect a permanent, concrete, stone faced, security guard house;
construct a new driveway and parking; and install aluminum security fencing as
well as surveillance equipment. These funds were spent without the benefit of a
formal security vulnerability assessment to determine the level of security the
governor would require or the most cost-effective way of providing that security.
The only semblance of an assessment consisted of undated, handwritten notes
prepared by Governor de Jongh's Director of Executive Security. The notes
described the physical layout of the property only and did not address security
vulnerabilities.
10. Virgin Islands law states that no officer or employee of the Government can enter
into a valid contract before an appropriation is made for that specific purpose. The
appropriated funds should never have been used to finance security improvements
at Governor de Jongh's private residence, therefore all contracts and agreements
entered into by the Government and signed by the Chief Executive, Governor de
Jongh, for that purpose were unlawful.
11. The United States Virgin Islands democratic system distributes power among
three branches of government; the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches.
This separation of powers results in a system of checks and balances and
minimizes the potential for the abuse of power.
12. The Executive Branch and its Chief Executive, Governor de Jongh ignored the
rules of checks and balances and circumvented the Legislative Branch by using a
legal opinion to justify spending approximately $490,000.25 of legislatively
obligated public funds for security improvements at Governor de Jongh's private
residence.
EFTA01074791
Page 3
Affidavit: John P. de Jongh, Jr. do Julito Francis
13. That JOHN P. de JONGH, JR. in his official capacity as Chief Executive of
the United States Virgin Islands, knowingly, willfully, and intentionally
misappropriated Government funds for use on his own private residence by
entering into contracts and agreements on behalf of the Government using funds
that were not approved by the Legislature for those specific purposes, but which
were unlawfully diverted from Act No. 6917 to serve his own personal interests.
14. That based on the aforementioned, Affiant believes JOHN P. de JONGH, JR., in
his official capacity as Governor of the United States Virgin Islands willfully,
knowingly, and intentionally misappropriated specifically earmarked public funds
that belonged to the United States Virgin Islands Government and were to be used
solely for the purpose of engineering design, construction, repair, or resurfacing
of roads in the United States Virgin Islands. Governor de Jongh as Chief
Executive, the highest ranked public officer in the Government had the ultimate
responsibility to ensure that public funds were safeguarded and to ensure that no
portion of those funds were misappropriated to his own personal use or the use of
another.
15. Further, based on the aforementioned, Affiant believes JULITO FRANICS, in his
capacity as the Director of the Public Finance Authority of the Virgin Islands
willfully, knowingly, and intentionally caused the misappropriation of
specifically earmarked public funds that belonged to the United States Virgin
Islands Government and were to be used solely for the purpose of engineering
design, construction, repair, or resurfacing of roads in the United States Virgin
Islands to be converted to a use unauthorized by law.
16. JULITO FRANCIS being the Director had the duty to ensure that public funds
were safeguarded and to ensure that no portion of those funds were
misappropriated to use unauthorized by law.
17. Further, that upon the expiration of his term in office as Governor of the United
States Virgin Islands, JOHN P. de JONGH, JR. willfully, knowingly and
intentionally kept the approximately $490,000.25, he misappropriated for his own
personal use. Affiant believes that JOHN P. de JONGH should be charged in
violation of Title 14 V.I.C. Section 1662(1) "Embezzlement or Falsification of
Public Accounts, " Title 14 V.I.C. Section 1663(1), "Neglecting to Pay Over
Public Monies" and "Principals" Title 14 V.I.C. Section 11 (a).
18. Further, Affiant believes that JULITO FRANCIS should be charged in violation
of Title 14 V.I.C. Section 1662(1) "Embezzlement or Falsification of Public
EFTA01074792
Page 4
Affidavit: John P. de Jongh, Jr. & Junto Francis
Accounts," Title 14 V.T.C. Section 1663(1), "Neglecting to Pay Over Public Monies,"
and as Principals, Title 14 V.I.C. Section 11(a).
Affiant further sayeth not.
A
)dr
th Schulterbrandt Jr.
SUBSCRIBED to and SWORN
Before me this / 170/ day of August 2015.
Mazietrteteof the uperior Court
What
DATE
S 1/4 7//
BY
C4 -221-1k-
COURT CLERK II
EFTA01074793