Bolques Under Microscope After Female Staffer Files Complaint; Ethics Committee Formed to Investigate

The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands announced on Tuesday that it has established a Committee on Ethical Conduct (CEC) to investigate a formal complaint filed against Senator At-Large Angel Bolques, Jr. The complaint, which alleges misconduct within Senator Bolques’s office, was received by the Office of the Senate President on March 26 and referred to the committee on March 28 for review and action​. Mr. Bolques was first seated as a senator during the 34th Legislature, following the removal of former Senator Steven Payne, which stemmed from a sexual harassment complaint filed by a staffer, originally reported by the Consortium, and a subsequent series of investigative reports by this publication. According to individuals familiar with the current complaint, it does not appear to rise to the level of misconduct that would result in Senator Bolques’s removal from office. However, those familiar with the complaint said Senator Bolques has allegedly fostered a hostile work environ...