Bolques Says Ethics Allegations Do Not Establish Guilt, Rejects Harassment Claims During At-Large Debate

Senator at Large Angel Bolques Jr. defended himself against questions about his 2025 legislative ethics case during Thursday night's V.I. Consortium-WTJX debate, insisting that allegations did not amount to guilt and rejecting accusations of sexual harassment, despite the formal reprimand and unpaid suspension imposed by his Senate colleagues. "Allegations and complaints do not constitute guilt," Bolques said when asked what responsibility he accepted for the conduct that led to the disciplinary action. The exchange brought renewed attention to an ethics investigation arising from an employee complaint alleging workplace misconduct, harassment and financial mismanagement. Although the most serious allegations were not adjudicated because of the Legislature's filing deadlines, Bolques entered a no-contest plea to a violation of his oath of office, and the full Senate subsequently approved sanctions against him. During the debate, V.I. Consortium publisher Ernice Gilbert specifically ...