Left to right: Former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, and founder of Mon Ethos Pro, David Whitaker.
Former Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Ray Martinez has filed a civil lawsuit against David Whitaker, the founder of Mon Ethos Pro Support, accusing him of fraud, breach of contract, and other misconduct. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, portrays Whitaker as a career con man whose actions have left a trail of deceit, including allegations of planted surveillance devices, padded invoices, and fraudulent business dealings.
Martinez’s complaint outlines a pattern of fraudulent activity allegedly perpetrated by Whitaker, including his involvement in fabricating and planting surveillance devices in government offices to create a false narrative of uncovering illicit activities. Whitaker, described as a convicted felon with a history of conning individuals and businesses, is accused of leveraging his position as a government contractor to deceive Martinez and other officials.
According to the lawsuit, Whitaker submitted invoices totaling $130,195.10 for his "work," which prosecutors claim was based on fabricated findings. The complaint also accuses Whitaker of using his position to ingratiate himself with law enforcement and federal officials, exploiting these relationships to bolster his schemes.
The lawsuit draws heavily on Whitaker’s history, labeling him a “career con man” with prior convictions for fraud, e-racketeering, and other crimes. Whitaker reportedly fled to Mexico in 2006 to evade authorities and was later arrested in 2008. His previous schemes allegedly included selling fake products online, defrauding small businesses, and involvement in a high-profile federal sting that led to Google’s $500 million settlement over illegal advertising practices.
Martinez’s complaint alleges that Whitaker’s fraudulent tendencies carried over into his dealings in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he allegedly manipulated government contracts and planted false evidence.
The lawsuit further delves into a failed business venture between Martinez and Whitaker involving a proposed restaurant, Don Felitos, and a media series called “Steak Out.” Martinez claims Whitaker misrepresented his ability to secure discounted equipment and funding for the project. The complaint accuses Whitaker of breaching their agreement and using the partnership as a cover to further his fraudulent activities.
In one instance, Whitaker is alleged to have fabricated invoices for equipment he claimed to have sourced from a Florida warehouse. Martinez states that despite repeated inquiries, Whitaker never delivered the promised items.
The lawsuit also alleges that Whitaker conspired with federal authorities to entrap Martinez in an effort to lessen his own criminal exposure. Martinez asserts that Whitaker’s cooperation with the federal government was part of a broader scheme to implicate him in fraudulent activities he did not commit.
Padded Invoices, Lavish Trips, and Cash Bribes: Criminal Charges Tied to Mon Ethos
The lawsuit against Whitaker comes amid broader allegations of fraud and corruption involving Mon Ethos Pro Support and several high-ranking government officials in the Virgin Islands.
According to a federal indictment, Mr. Martinez, former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal, and Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White, along with contractor Benjamin Hendricks, colluded with Whitaker to manipulate government contracts. The indictment alleges that padded invoices, bribes, and insider information were central to their schemes.
In one instance, Mr. White allegedly demanded $16,000 in bribes from Whitaker in exchange for securing a $1.43 million government contract for security cameras. Prosecutors claim White provided insider information about competing bids to ensure Mon Ethos would win the contract.
A series of recorded calls and messages reportedly document the collusion. In one recording, White allegedly advised Whitaker that “the less evidence you have, the better you’ll be.” Another recording captured White coaching Whitaker on how to revise the bid to ensure it undercut competing offers.
Prosecutors also allege that Whitaker wired $5,000 to Hendricks’s company, A Clean Environment, as partial payment for bribes intended for White. Text messages detailing the transactions and meetings among the defendants were reportedly deleted from White and Hendricks’s phones.
The charges against Martinez and O’Neal allege additional schemes involving inflated invoices and funds used for personal luxuries. Prosecutors say these schemes were backed by extensive evidence, including over six million pages of documents and terabytes of data.
The civil suit filed by Martinez seeks compensatory and punitive damages for reputational and financial harm caused by Whitaker’s alleged fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, the criminal cases against current and former officials, as well as Whitaker, continue to develop, with trials expected to bring additional details to light.
