Government

Governor Defends WICO’s Autonomy; Senate Majority Leader Warns Against Circumventing Law in CEO Pick

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Wednesday described the West Indian Company as a government-owned private entity amid rising debate over the board’s selection of Joseph Boschulte as its new president and CEO. The decision was made during executive session at WICO’s Friday board meeting, though the company has not officially confirmed the action. A WTJX report on Tuesday evening highlighted multiple court rulings indicating that the West Indian Company Limited (WICO) is a public entity. As a result, the company cannot appoint a sitting board member to its top position until a full year has passed. According to the report, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, in Sprauve v. The West Indian Company Limited, determined that WICO qualifies as a public agency under the Virgin Islands’ taxpayer lawsuit statute. Additionally, the Virgin Islands Supreme Court, in Virgin Islands Taxi Association v. The West Indian Company Limited, reaffirmed this classification.  However, Governor Bryan says that ...