Governor de Jongh has said he intends to pay back to the Virgin Islands Government the money the Department of Public Works used to erect a fence, build a guard house and install a security camera system at his private residence, the amount of which totaled over $490,000.
But the manner in which de Jongh framed his words left many guessing whether the full amount will be repaid or, as the governor stated in a transmittal letter sent to Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone, "the value on what remains of my property."
Finally, I acknowledge resolution No. 1813, and indeed as I have said before, and I repeat here, I have committed to paying over to the Government the value on what remains of my property after my term.
Late September, while the 30th Legislature was crafting the government's overall budget of fiscal year 2015, Senator Terrence "Positive" Nelson sponsored a resolution that sought to recoup the $500,000 used to renovate the Governor's private residence. Nelson said it was wrong for de Jongh to use public money to conduct work on his private property.
The measure enjoyed wide-ranging support from the 30th Legislature, with only Senator Alicia "Chucky" Hansen signaling, through her vote, that she did not support the idea of Governor de Jongh repaying his debt to the V.I. Government. Yet, her sole 'No' vote was overwhelmed by 13 other Senators who voted in favor of Nelson's resolution.
- Senator Craig Barshinger — Yes
- Senator Judi Buckley — Yes
- Senator Diane Capehart — Absent
- Senator Donald G. Cole — Yes
- Senator Kenneth Gittens — Yes
- Senator Clifford Graham — Yes
- Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen — No
- Senator Myron Jackson — Yes
- Senator Shawn-Michael Malone — Yes
- Senator Terrence “Positive” Nelson — Yes
- Senator Nereida "Nellie" Rivera-O’Reilly — Yes
- Senator Clarence Payne — Yes
- Senator Tregenza A. Roach — Yes
- Senator Sammuel Sanes — Yes
- Senator Janette Millin Young — Yes
The Governor seems to suggest in his transmittal letter to Sen. Malone that, while he agrees to repay the money, the total amount may vary based on an appraisal to be conducted on the value of his property once he leaves office.
"Finally, I acknowledge resolution No. 1813, and indeed as I have said before, and I repeat here, I have committed to paying over to the Government the value on what remains of my property after my term," de Jongh wrote.
Back Story
Governor de Jongh took office in 2007, but instead of living at the Governor’s mansion in Estate Catherineberg on St. Thomas, he chose to reside at his private residence — where Public Works spent over $490,000 erecting a fence, building a guard house and installing a camera system. The project was given the green light after Public Works sought and received an opinion from the V.I. Attorney General’s office, stating it was permissible to move ahead with the work once public interest was served and was the main reason for the expense.
But in 2010, the U.S. Interior Department inspector general’s office concluded in a report that the renovations of de Jongh’s private home with public funds, “usurped the Legislature’s authority to determine how to spend public funds” and should be returned.
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