Sen. Angel Bolques, chair of the committee that issued the subpoena, expresses concern after Tim Dempsey fails to appear at a hearing on the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE.
Despite a subpoena issued in his name, Tim Dempsey was a no-show at Friday’s meeting of the Committee of Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks. Mr. Dempsey, currently director of operations at GEC, was among the list of testifiers expected to provide an update on the construction of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium. Not only did he fail to appear, but Mr. Dempsey did not submit correspondence detailing an excuse for his absence.
“I'm not quite sure what the ramifications are concerning that, as he was subpoenaed,” noted Senator Angel Bolques Jr., the committee’s chair. He seemed bewildered. “I'm not sure how someone doesn't show up after being subpoenaed to a hearing.” Mr. Dempsey was among a list of subpoenaed individuals, including the commissioners of Property and Procurement and Sports, Parks, and Recreation. Commissioner Derek Gabriel of the Department of Public Works was also on hand despite telling lawmakers that he never received a subpoena.
“We will take that up on the back end with the President's office and the senators,” Senator Bolques promised. The committee would subsequently take a brief recess after Senator Marvin Blyden suggested that the body needed to “make a decision in terms of setting our officers to go and do what they need to do.”
John Wessel is the managing member for GEC LLC, the contractor for the delayed Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. He endeavored to offer an explanation for Mr. Dempsey’s absence. “During Governor Mapp’s administration, the government hired a contractor called Coastal Construction out of Florida and Mr. Tim Dempsey was an employee of theirs,” he stated. “Once Governor Bryan was elected, neither Coastal Construction nor Tim Dempsey have been involved in the design or operation or anything of the kind of the contract.”
“I have no idea why he didn't respond today but I'm going to assume that that was the reason,” said Mr. Wessel.
It is now the decision of the Legislature on how to proceed.
Correction: July 22, 2025 at 5:26 p.m.
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated—due to a title error issued by the V.I. Legislature—that Tim Dempsey is the director of operations at the V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery. In fact, Mr. Dempsey serves as director of operations at GEC. The article has been updated to reflect this correction.
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