DLCA Officer Who Reported Alleged Bribes Sues Government and Union Over Firing, Seeks $1.19 Million

ST. THOMAS — A former Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs enforcement officer who reported allegations that his supervisor accepted bribes to warn businesses ahead of surprise inspections is suing the Virgin Islands government and his own union, claiming he was subjected to years of retaliation that culminated in his dismissal in June 2025. Chelston Richardson alleges that senior DLCA officials ignored or enabled the misconduct he reported, subsequently subjected him to an unfair disciplinary process and terminated his employment. His federal lawsuit seeks reinstatement and $1,189,005 in lost wages, projected future earnings, attorney's fees and costs. According to the complaint filed in District Court, Mr. Richardson began reporting alleged corruption within DLCA's enforcement division in 2022. His allegations centered on claims that the division's head had been accepting bribes from businesses in exchange for advance notice of inspections that were supposed to be unannounc...