Wapa

At All-Day WAPA Hearing, More Waste, Questionable Ethics Unearthed, and Some Hope; Senators Silence Board Chairman With Stinging Rebuke

The marathon V.I. Water and Power Authority hearing that took place on Tuesday — sparked by an internal audit making damning accusations against Gregory Rhymer, a longtime WAPA executive — unearthed more troubling dealings at the territory's only utility for water and power as senators dug into the authority's executives and board members for answers. They opened up with fire against board chairman Anthony Thomas, who during his testimony took a swipe at senators by stating, among other fighting words, "While this august body can cast aspersions and discuss any matter in this public forum our team do not have the protection of this body’s immunity." Senators pushed back hard. "I don't know how my colleagues received this, but I received this as a clear admonishment of this body, and I find that the chairman of the Water and Power Authority is out of order," fired Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory. "This body is to be respected and while we are here, regardless of what side of the...