David Whitaker, former owner of Mon Ethos Pro Support, whose sentencing has been delayed as he continues cooperating in the federal corruption cases involving former Virgin Islands officials.
A joint motion to continue sentencing later in 2026 has been accepted by the judge overseeing the trial of David Whitaker.
Counsel for Mr. Whitaker and government prosecutors both agreed that Whitaker's sentencing hearing, initially scheduled for January 21, 2026 should be pushed back until trials in which he is a cooperating witness are concluded.
The former owner of Mon Ethos Pro Support pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges in September last year, after investigations revealed that Whitaker had been seeking favored treatment for his business from government agencies. The initial investigation implicated senior officials in the V.I. Police Department, however after Mr. Whitaker began cooperating with prosecutors, the investigation widened to include the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation. It was found that in exchange for expedited invoice payments from VIPD and improper advantage in DPSR's procurement process, Mr. Whitaker offered bribes to former VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez, Former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal, and former DPSR Commissioner Calvert White.
Mr. White and his co-accused, contractor Benjamin Hendricks, were convicted of wire fraud and bribery in July of this year, and were due to be sentenced at the beginning of next year. However, White and Hendricks are now seeking a new trial, with motions to that effect pending before the court. Trial on bribery, money laundering, and fraud charges for Mr. Martinez and Ms. O'Neal is scheduled to begin in early December. Should one or both individuals be convicted, their sentencing may not take place until March or April of 2026.
According to the joint motion before the court in Whitaker's case, “the parties here have agreed that a continuance is warranted under the circumstances so that the Court will have all pertinent information before it at the time of Whitaker's sentencing.” That way, he can “argue for and obtain the full benefit of his bargain with the United States.”
Presiding judge Mark Kearney agreed with the premise of the joint motion, issuing an order on Wednesday rescheduling Mr. Whitaker's sentencing hearing to June 10, 2026. It will be held at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 3 of the St. Thomas District Court.
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