Governor Albert Bryan Jr. Photo Credit: GOV'T HOUSE
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued a statement on Thursday following exclusive Consortium reporting on federal indictments involving two former cabinet members and one current official.
On Wednesday, The Consortium reported, based on information from trusted sources, that former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal, and current Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White are facing federal indictments tied to a fraud case involving Mon Ethos founder David Whitaker. Whitaker has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery.
The Consortium revealed that Martinez, O'Neal, and White are slated to be indicted on Thursday and are expected to appear in court on Friday, according to individuals speaking on condition of anonymity. These indictments have been widely discussed in the community following federal investigations previously reported by The Consortium, which led to the resignations of Martinez and O'Neal, while White retained his position.
On Thursday, Governor Bryan addressed the matter, emphasizing the importance of due process. “Today, I learned of federal indictments involving two former members of my Cabinet and one current member of this administration. While these allegations are deeply concerning, I want to emphasize the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold. Every individual is entitled to due process, and I will respect that principle," he said.
Bryan stressed is commitment to maintaining ethical standards within his administration. "As Governor, I remain committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and accountability within my administration. These values guide our work and will continue to do so as this matter unfolds. My administration will cooperate fully with federal authorities as necessary," he said.
The governor also noted that the actions or allegations involving certain individuals do not define the efforts of the many public servants who work diligently for the Virgin Islands.
No Comment on Calvert White's Status
Governor Bryan did not respond to queries from The Consortium on Wednesday night or Thursday morning regarding whether he would request the resignation of Calvert White, as he had previously done for Ray Martinez and Jenifer O'Neal.
