From left to right: Calvert White and Benjamin Hendricks. Both men were found guilty of federal wire fraud and bribery charges in a corruption case involving COVID relief funds. Photo Credit: WTJX.
Last updated at 8:34 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
ST. THOMAS — The federal corruption case involving former Sports Commissioner Calvert White and co-defendant Benjamin Hendricks reaches its decisive moment today, as both men are scheduled to be sentenced during a hearing set for 9 a.m. and noon respectively, in U.S. District Court.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a months-long case that centered on bribery and abuse of public office and was built largely around the cooperation and trial testimony of David Whitaker, who prosecutors described as a key participant in the underlying scheme and the government’s primary witness. V.I. Consortium first reported on the federal government’s investigation into White on June 16, 2024.
White and Hendricks were convicted following a jury trial that featured extensive testimony, government exhibits, and cross-examination detailing how the alleged bribery scheme operated, the roles prosecutors said each defendant played, and the flow of benefits tied to government contracts. Whitaker’s testimony formed a central pillar of the government’s case, as he described his interactions with both defendants and the conduct prosecutors said amounted to corruption.
The case was part of a broader federal public-corruption investigation that examined conduct among senior Virgin Islands government officials and contractors. That investigation also led to separate prosecutions and convictions, in unrelated matters, including the case involving Ray Martinez and Jenifer O’Neil.
Ahead of sentencing, federal prosecutors submitted filings urging the court to impose a substantial prison sentence on White, recommending a 12-year term. Prosecutors argued that the seriousness of the offenses, the abuse of public trust, and the need for deterrence warranted a lengthy sentence.
In separate filings, White asked the court for leniency, submitting a personal letter along with multiple letters of support from family members, friends, and associates. The submissions urged the court to consider White’s personal history, character, and life circumstances in determining an appropriate sentence.
Hendricks also faces sentencing today, with the court expected to consider the advisory federal sentencing guidelines, the nature and scope of the offenses, and arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense.
The judge is expected to issue sentences after weighing written submissions, guideline calculations, and any statements made during the hearing. Once imposed, the sentences will formally close one of the most closely watched federal corruption cases in recent Virgin Islands history — a case defined by insider testimony, extensive documentary evidence, and the government’s reliance on cooperation to secure convictions.
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