Crime

Barnes Hit with New Tax Charge in Casino Control Commission Scandal; Defendants Plead Not Guilty

Federal prosecutors filed a new criminal charge against Stephanie Barnes, a co-conspirator in the V.I. Casino Control Commission corruption scandal involving ex-C.C.C. Director Violet Anne Golden.   U.S. Attorney Gretchen Shappert’s office filed an updated, 31-count indictment in the sweeping fraud and conspiracy case last week, alleging that Ms. Barnes failed last year to file an income tax return with the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue.   Ms. Barnes is also accused of filing false tax documents in 2016 and 2017. In 2016, she allegedly reported income of $35,894 on her IRS Form 1040 – far less actual amounts “stolen and embezzled from the Commission and wages and compensation earned in her contract,” the superseding indictment read.   Both Ms. Golden and Ms. Barnes were arraigned and pled not guilty at a Wednesday arraignment on charges under the superseding indictment.   A grand jury in July handed down an initial 30-count indictment against Ms. Barnes and Ms. Golden on char...