Crime

Judge Denies New Trials for Martinez and O’Neil, Saying Evidence Supported Bribery and Fraud Convictions

Former V.I. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neil will not receive new trials or acquittals after a federal judge refused to disturb the jury verdicts that found both former senior government officials guilty in the Mon Ethos corruption case. In a 48-page memorandum issued Wednesday, District Court Judge Mark Kearney denied the defendants’ post-trial motions, concluding that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the convictions. Mr. Martinez and Ms. O’Neil had argued that prosecutors failed to prove the allegations of fraud, bribery and money laundering beyond a reasonable doubt. The government maintained that the jury’s verdict was fully supported by the trial record. Judge Kearney agreed with prosecutors. “The adduced evidence overwhelmingly confirmed the officials’ disregard for the rule of law,” he wrote. The case stems from the federal prosecution of Mr. Martinez and Ms. O’Neil over their dealing...