‘Chucky’ Hansen Responds: “I Want to Thank God”

Early this morning Senator Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen responded to the news that Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. had pardoned her — something it appears she had known before the governor’s announcement came.

The Senator, who said she was still recovering from the flu, thanked her supporters for “the overwhelming support” they showed during this “difficult time,” and acknowledged some of her ardent followers for sticking with her through last week’s V.I. Supreme Court ruling that barred her from seeking re-election in the 31st Legislature due to past convictions for tax evasion.

“I want to thank Dr. Griffith for all the encouragement [during this time],” Hansen said, adding that the doctor kept her spirits up.

“I also want to thank God. God is good. And I always tell people, when you are going through something just let God deal with it and he will take care of it.”

Senator Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen

The Senator went on to thank her defense attorney Lee Rohn who she said was the best, and in a somewhat disjointed manner said that her people only supports the best.

Defiantly, Hansen added that her work must continue, and promised to keep pressing forward for the people of the Virgin Islands.

She did, of course, thank the Governor for pardoning her, a move that sets her free from three federal convictions of failing to file taxes.

Moral Turpitude Is Now Moral Fortitude

Moral turpitude is conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty or good morals, and it was on said grounds that the V.I. Supreme Court found Senator Hansen guilty, citing that failing to file her taxes three times were “willful” acts that falls under the umbrella of moral turpitude.

Yesterday’s decision by Governor de Jongh wipes Hansen’s slate clean; however, there is still a troubled path ahead, as it’s yet to be known if Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes will disregard the Supreme Court’s order that bars Hansen from being on the November 4th General Election ballot and allow the embattled Senator’s name to appear on it.

Board of Elections Chairman for the St. Croix District Adelbert Bryan, the plaintiff in the case against Hansen, said that while he couldn’t comment on the pardon because he had not read Governor de Jongh’s statement, he was worried that Fawkes had not relayed to Hansen that she was disqualified and would no longer be on the ballot.