Corruption Issues Surrounding Virgin Islands Governor
Albert Bryan, the Democratic Governor of the Virgin Islands, seems to have found himself in a troubling situation with a series of scams and unethical practices involving key figures in his administration.
Recently, former Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White was sentenced to five years in prison for honest services wire fraud and bribery tied to programs funded by federal dollars. His case reflects a broader issue of corruption within the administration.
This situation is troubling.
The sentencing is relatively mild compared to the potential maximum of 20 years for fraud and 10 years for bribery. This follows recent convictions of Bryan’s former police chief and budget director, who were also involved in corrupt activities. White, who stepped down from his position last January, had solicited a bribe from David Whittaker, the founder of a cybersecurity firm, with the help of local businessman Benjamin Hendricks.
For $16,000, White promised to help Whittaker secure a contract valued at over $1.4 million to install surveillance systems at various public facilities, which would later be funded by Hendricks.
The Justice Department indicated that this scheme began in late 2023 and came to light in June 2024 when the FBI intervened. During this period, White disclosed confidential bidding details to Whittaker and worked within his official role to assist Whittaker in winning the contract.
Assistant Attorney General A. Theisen Duba commented, “Calvert White manipulated public bidding processes for bribes. He broke the trust that the community placed in him.”
Although White did not face any fines, he was required to forfeit the $5,000 he received from Whittaker through Hendricks. He plans to wear a GPS monitor until he reports to authorities on March 2. Hendricks, for his part in the scheme, received a sentence of 68 months imprisonment last week.
Claudia Dubravec, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, stressed, “When public trust is betrayed by corruption, it damages the communities that government serves. This is simply unacceptable.”
Whittaker entered a guilty plea after being indicted in 2024 on multiple counts including wire fraud and bribery, with sentencing expected later this year. His involvement raises further concerns, especially as it connects back to former police commissioner Ray Martinez and Jennifer O’Neill, a former director of the Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget.
Martinez was convicted of multiple charges last month, including bribery linked to federal funding initiatives, while O’Neill was found guilty of approving inflated invoices for personal gain.
The Justice Department continues to investigate these corrupt practices that have come to light under Bryan’s administration. While the efforts to serve the public may be hindered by these scandals, the fight against corruption remains crucial for restoring community trust.
Requests for comment from Governor Bryan’s office have gone unanswered.
